Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus americanus luteolus)

Date of Listing: Threatened, 1992

Louisiana Black Bears are active from April to November. After emerging from dens in spring, bears may initially be in a "semi-fasting" state as they continue to utilize remaining winter fat reserves. At this time they eat succulent, easy-to-digest vegetation. During the summer they eat mostly berries, insects, and carrion. In order to gain weight for the winter, bears eat nuts such as acorns and pecans which are high in carbohydrates and fats. They hibernate in the winter in large hollow trees, downed logs, or in ground nests which are shallow depressions lined with vegetation. Denning bears exhibit varying degrees of awareness, but most can easily be roused if disturbed.

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Reason for Concern:

Habitat loss has been the main reason for the bear's decline. Reservoir construction has flooded many miles of former bottomland hardwood habitat. In addition, many bottomlands forests have been cut and converted to agricultural areas or housing developments. Today, efforts are being made to restore the Louisiana black bear to its former range in areas with suitable habitat.

Additional information:: East Texas Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan, 2005 - 2015
Size:: 120-400 lbs; 4.5-6.5 feet long; adult males are larger than adult females
Diet:: Acorns, pecans, berries, persimmon fruits, palmetto, insects, carrion
Habitat (where it lives):: Primarily in bottomland hardwoods and floodplain forests, but also upland hardwoods, mixed pine/hardwoods, coastal flatwoods, and marshes
Range (where found in Texas):: East Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Life Span:: Up to 30 years
Reproduction:: Litter sizes range from 1 to 3 cubs; females have a litter every other winter while denning, and the young cubs usually spend their first 1.5 to 2 years with their mother before dispersing
Population Numbers:: Improving
Interesting Fact:: Although not true hibernators, bears generally do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate in winter. They have a unique metabolic process to recycle waste products during winter dormancy.