The first black bears made their way to the continent from Asia half million years ago by crossing the Bering Land Bridge. Moving south from what would become Alaska, the species gradually spread into and across Canadian forest lands and in time reached the present day United States. Today upwards of 800,000 black bears inhabit North America with most still found in Alaska and Canada. Huntable numbers abide in about half of the states. Black bears are large mammals, averaging between 100 to 150 pounds for females and up to 300 pounds or more for males. Some black bears weighing more than 600 pounds have been reported. The general coloration of the black bear is bluish black but occasionally they may be brownish or even cinnamon colored. The muzzle is brown and there may be a white patch on the upper region of the chest. The tail is short, the eyes small, and the ears are small and rounded. Black bears walk flat-footed and are known as plantigrades. Each foot is tipped by long, powerful, non retractable claws.
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