Author Dave Taylor has set his life photographing and writing about North American wildlife. His passion was black bears. In this beautifully designed full colour book with more than 100 fullcolor photographs, maps and charts, Black Bears introduces the reader to this shy, reclusive and largely misunderstood animal with an encyclopedic examination of the black bear's world by state, province and territory.
Of the three species (the grizzly/brown bear, polar bear, and black bear), Taylor examines and portrays his devotion specifically to the black bear, the most populous of the species. A specific section touches upon the bear and people, offering valuable advice when camping in their environment, and what to do if one encounters a bear in the wilderness.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction to the First Edition
Acknowledgements
Part I. The Pre-History of Black Bears
The Evolution of Black Bears
The Evolution of Mammals
The Carnivores
Black Bears as Omnivores
The Giant Short-Face Bear
The Black Bear During the Ice Age
Black Bear Subspecies and Range
Part II. The World of Black Bears
Adaptations for Forest Life
Black Bear Habitat
Territory and Home Range
Black Bear Physical Characteristics
Colour Phases: Black, Brown, White, and Blue
Black Bear or Grizzly Bear?
Shape and Colour
Head and Ears
Claws
Name and Location
Events Leading to Hibernation
Hibernation
Birth of Cubs
Bear Cubs
Mother and Cubs — The First Year
Making it Alone
Male Bears
Black Bear Diet
Black Bears as Herbivores
Black Bears as Carnivores
Interactions with Other Species
Scatology
Black Bear Signs
Tracks
Scratches on Trees
Bear Nests
Beds and Dens
Feeding
Kills
Population of Bears
Monitoring Bear Populations
Adapting to a Changing Habitat
Climate Change
Bear Mortality
Part III. Putting a Value on Black Bears
What is the Value of a Black Bear?
Hunting Black Bears
Viewing Bears
Part IV. Getting Along in Bear Country
Black Bears and People — The Tolerant Bear
Camping in Bear Country
Do's and Dont's of Camping in Bear Country Bear
What to Do When You Meet a Bear
Tips and Suggestions
Bear Spray
Black Bears and People — The Aggressive Bear
Reading a Black Bear's Behaviour
Facial Expressions
Body Language
Fights
Avoidance
Vocalizations
Other Behaviours
Be Bear Smart
Part V. Bear Tourism
Where You Find Bears
Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Whistler Mountain
Coastal Black Bears
Other Places to View Bears
Photographing Bears
Part VI. In the Field
Winter Field Research
Day 1
Day 2
Summer Research
Researching Bears of the Bruce Peninsula
Bear With Us — A Labour of Love
Part VII. Black Bear Populations by Region
The Continental United States
Northeastern Bears: Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
Southern Bears: Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Northern Carolina, and Kentucky
Gulf of Mexico Bears: Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Central Bears: Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin
Northwestern Bears: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Utah
Plains: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas
Southwestern Bears: California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada
Canada and Alaska
Eastern Canada: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec
Ontario Bears
Western Bears: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Northwest Territory, and Nunavut
Northwestern Bears: British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and Alaska
Mexico
Appendices
I. United States Black Bear Population by State
II. Canadian Black Bear Population by Province and Territory
III. Total Estimated North American Population
IV. Black Bear Viewing Lodges and Tours
V. Black Bear Viewing Areas & Opportunities
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Updates Available: Updates Available: Update available for Picture Gallery Module