American Black Bear (Ursus Americanus)

This is a Black Bear at Lake Louise,Alberta, Canada

The black bear ranges from Northern California, down the coast and down the border of California and Nevada. The range borders Reno, NV and the southern end consists of the hills around Los Angeles.

Black bears eat mostly insects, honey, and nuts. Sometimes they will hunt elk, whitetail, and mule deer. They will even eat adult deer!

There are a number of black bear sightings around Los Angeles each year. For example, see the following bear reports from earlier this year (2012):

Glendale Bear Sighting: Black Bear Seen Digging Through Trash In Glendale

Black Bear Contained in La Crescenta Backyard

Black bear spotted climbing tree in La Cañada Flintridge

Black Bear Gets Into Glendale Garage, Opens Refrigerator