| Louisiana State Mammal
 Louisiana
black bears are black, some with a distinct white "blaze" on
their chest. Adult males generally weigh from 250 to over
400 pounds and adult females range from 120 to over 275
pounds. Body length of adults, nose to tail, ranges up to 6
feet.
Female black bears begin to mate at 3 to 5 years of age and
have one to four cubs every other year. The young remain
with their mother the first year, den with her the following
winter, and search for their own territory in their second
summer.
Bears tend to range over large areas in search of basic
needs such as food, escape cover, den sites, and mates.
Males have been known to range over 100 square miles while
females occupy much smaller home ranges, often less than 10
square miles.
Although classified as carnivores, Louisiana black bears are
not active predators. These intelligent mammals are
opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything that is
available. Although natural foods, such as berries and
acorns, comprise a majority of a bear's diet, bears readily
take advantage of food options provided by humans. When
available, bears may feed on agricultural crops such as
corn, wheat, oats, and sugarcane, occasionally damage
beehives in search of honey, and will readily become
habituated to human garbage when the opportunity exists.
Black bears are very intelligent, shy and secretive animals,
and generally work hard at avoiding contact with humans.
Dangerous situations may occur whenever close human activity
is perceived as a danger to cubs or otherwise threatening.
The best advice is for humans to avoid close contact with
bears.
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