{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "black-bear",
  "name": "American Black Bear",
  "scientificName": "Ursus americanus",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The American black bear is the most common bear in North America, found from Canada to Mexico in forests, swamps, and even suburbs. Despite the name, colours range from jet black to cinnamon, blonde, and the rare white Kermode or 'spirit bear' of British Columbia. Adults typically weigh 45–250 kg and are skilled tree climbers.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Carnivora",
    "family": "Ursidae",
    "genus": "Ursus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 150,
    "lengthM": 1.8,
    "topSpeedKmh": 48,
    "lifespanYears": 25
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Ursus americanus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Omnivore — nuts, berries, insects, carrion, and occasional small mammals"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Forests, mountains, and wetlands across North America"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "15–25 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "45–250 kg (100–550 lb); males larger than females"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 48 km/h (30 mph) in short bursts"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Forests, swamps, and mountains from Alaska and Canada through the United States to northern Mexico, including the Appalachian and Pacific coast ranges.",
    "continents": [
      "North America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Ursus americanus.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Ursus%20americanus&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Ursus americanus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ursus_americanus/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — American Black Bear.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_black_bear"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/black-bear/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/black-bear/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}