What kinds of habitats do black bears live in?
The black bear evolved as a forest animal and its life history is driven by the resources and constraints inherent in forested habitats. Typical black bear habitat consists of mixed forest interspersed with clearings and patches of early successional trees and shrubs. Physical and vegetative differences among the regions of North America influence black bear populations and habitat use in accordance with the availability of food, escape cover, and denning sites. Bears are able to exploit diverse habitats because of their ability to den during periods of food scarcity. Foods are influenced by climatic, edaphic, and topographic characteristics which affect the quality, quantity, and distribution of foods, hence bear productivity. Mountainous areas may be favored due to the diversity of habitats resulting from altitudinal changes; however, eastern deciduous forests with their abundance of hard mast sustain the most productive bear populations. Water is an essential component of bear range
