Black Bear
(Adopted 1973)

Our smallest bear. In the East it is nearly black and in the West it is black to cinnamon or even yellowish. Its face is roundish in profile and always brown, and it usually has a white patch on its chest. Widespread in many forests, swamps, and mountain areas and is increasing in some parts of the East close to cities. Chiefly nocturnal, but it does forage in daytime, particularly in national parks. Eats berries, nuts, tubers, insects, small mammals, bird eggs, honey, carrion, and garbage. It can run up to 30 mph, and it weighs up to 475 pounds.