Anatomy+&+Physiology

Adult:** Black bears measure about 1.2 - 1.9 m, with males typically larger than females, averaging 1.57 and 1.43 m respectively. Adult:** Male black bears may weigh 60 - 225 kg usually, but reach or pass 300 kg in some areas where they feed on corn. Females may weigh 40 - 150 kg usually but can exceed 180 kg. Adult:** The American black bear has a large head with small, rounded, erect ears, a straight or slightly convex facial profile, a tapering muzzle and long nostrils. The [|vibrissae] are vestigial. The skull is massive with a large [|cranium], strong [|sagittal] ridge and [|zygomatic arches], broad frontal region, well developed turbinates and flat, inconspicuous [|tympanic bullae]. Adult:** Bears have unspecialised [|incisors], sturdy [|canine teeth] and broad, flat [|molars]. The black bear's dental formula is i3/3, c1/1, p4/4, m2/3 for a total of 42 teeth. Adult:** Black bears have relatively small eyes, with a well-developed [|nictitating membrane]. The eyes are brown, but appear black at a distance.
 * LENGTH
 * Newborns:** Newborn cubs measure about 199 mm.
 * HEIGHT**
 * Adults and sub-adults:** Black bears are about 0.7 - 1.05 m at the shoulder (2.3 - 3.4 ft).
 * Juveniles: --**
 * WEIGHT
 * Newborns:** Cubs weigh about 250 - 360 g.
 * GROWTH RATE:** The growth rate of cubs is affected by their mother's size and by food availability. One study found wild cubs to gain about 500 g in their first month and 2.5 kg in the first 12 weeks. Zoo data showed cubs to average 1.8 kg at a month old, 3.5 kg at two months and 10 kg at three months. Females reach full skeletal growth by four to five years, males by six or seven years. Weight gain continues for two or three years after skeletal growth has stopped.
 * GENERAL HEAD STRUCTURE:
 * Newborn: --**
 * DENTITION:
 * Neonate/Young:** The deciduous dental formula is i3/3, c1/1 p3/3 (total 28 teeth).
 * EYES:
 * Newborn:** Cubs have blue eyes; these are closed at birth.

**, Spine and Tracks:** > > > > > **Tail:** The American black bear's tail is short, about 120 mm (4.8 inches) long, and may be hidden in the fur > > > > > **Normal Blood Counts and normal haematology values:** []
 * Black bears have thick, relatively massive legs and short broad paws each with five toes and short, re-curved, non-retractable claws. The claws of the American black bear are shorter than those of [|//Ursus arctos// - Brown bear], being adapted to climbing rather than to digging. As with other bears, this bear is [|plantigrade].
 * The forefoot print is about 100 mm (four inches) long by 125 mm (five inches) wide, with the hindfoot track about 180 - 230 mm (7 - 9 ins) long by 125 mm (5 ins.) wide. The hind print is placed several inches in front of the forefoot track on the same side. The stride is about 300 m (1 ft). The smallest toe does not always leave a visible mark; the claws may leave marks in soft ground.


 * Normal Biochemistry levels:** []


 * METABOLISM (TEMPERATURE):** The normal rectal temperature of adult bears is 37.5 - 38.3 °C (99.6 - 101.0 °F); in hibernating bears it falls to 31 - 34 °C.
 * RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (RESPIRATION):** The normal respiratory rate of bears is 15 - 30 breaths per minute (the higher rates have been recorded in hot weather); it is slower during hibernation. Much faster respiration can be seen in bears resting in hot weather, e.g. 130 - 140 in cubs in summer.
 * CIRCULATORY SYSTEM (PULSE/HEART RATE):** The normal heart rate of bears is 60 - 90 beats per minute (the higher rates are found in cubs).
 * HAEMATOLOGY / BIOCHEMISTRY:** Values are similar to those of the domestic dog.
 * GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM (FAECES AND GUT MOTILITY):** Faeces (scats) are roughly cylindrical, sometimes coiled, usually dark brown, and may contain visible seeds, grasses, insect parts, animal hair, nut shells or root fibres; they may be black and liquid if bears are feeding on berries. Food passage time is short.
 * URINARY SYSTEM (URINE):** Urine specific gravity has been measured as 1.025.
 * CHROMOSOMES:** 2n = 74 [|Chromosomes].
 * MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM:** --
 * SPECIAL SENSES AND VOCALISATIONS:**
 * The American black bear's eyesight is poorer than that of humans, but they do have colour vision and at close range they have detailed vision and feed partially by sight. Distance vision may not be sufficient to allow black bears to stalk distant prey.
 * The sense of smell is excellent; they may smell carrion at a distance of more than a mile (1.6 km). Scent is the main method used by a female bear to recognise her offspring.
 * These bears have quite good hearing.
 * There are a variety of vocalisations, including a startled "woof", contented purrs of cubs, shrill howls or squalls of uncomfortable or frightened cubs and an "uh-uh" grunt by females calling her cubs to her.

This was all from the website: [] which contains a lot of additional valuable information.