Black bear in a tree

There is a healthy population of Black Bears living in Prince William Forest Park. Black bears are found only in North America and are the smallest of the three bear species living on the continent. Black Bears are less aggressive than their cousin, the Grizzly Bear. They have been known to attack people, however, reported cases of black bears attacking humans is extremely rare. 

They have non-retractable claws, making them expert tree climbers. Male black bears weigh between 125 and 500 pounds, depending on their health and the availability of food. Their front legs are shorter than their rear legs, giving them an awkward gait when walking. However, they have been known to run at speeds of 30 miles per hour. 

Black bears are often nocturnal, however, they are occasionally spotted during the day. They are extremely shy animals and will usually avoid contact with humans. Their eyesight is poor, however, their sense of smell and hearing is quite good. They typically live 20 to 25 years in the wild.