What Do Black Bears Eat​?

1. Plant-Based Diet

A significant portion of a black bear’s diet is plant-based, especially during the warmer months when vegetation is abundant. Some of the most common plant foods they consume include:

• Berries: Black bears love berries such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and elderberries. These provide them with a rich source of sugar and energy, especially in summer and early fall.
• Fruits: In addition to berries, black bears eat fruits like apples, cherries, plums, and wild grapes when they’re available. Bears are known to raid fruit orchards if they are near human settlements.
• Nuts and Seeds: Acorns, beechnuts, and other nuts are essential food sources for black bears, particularly in autumn when they are preparing for hibernation. These high-fat foods provide the energy reserves needed for winter.
• Grasses and Herbs: In spring, when other food sources are scarce, black bears often feed on newly sprouted grasses, clover, and dandelions. These greens are easy to digest and provide important nutrients as they emerge from hibernation.
• Roots and Tubers: Black bears may dig up roots and tubers, especially when other food is less available. These underground parts of plants are an important carbohydrate source for bears.

2. Insects

Insects are another important part of a black bear’s diet, especially in summer. They consume a variety of insects, such as:

• Ants and Termites: Black bears dig into ant mounds and termite nests, using their long tongues to scoop up the insects.
• Bees and Wasps: Black bears are also known to raid beehives for honey, but they consume bees and their larvae as well. They are relatively immune to bee stings due to their thick fur and skin.
• Grubs and Beetles: Bears will turn over logs or dig in the ground to find grubs, beetle larvae, and other small invertebrates, which are rich in protein.

3. Small Animals and Carrion

Though primarily plant-eaters, black bears are opportunistic feeders and will eat animal matter when available:

• Small Mammals: Black bears occasionally prey on small mammals like rodents, squirrels, and rabbits. While they aren’t efficient predators, they will take advantage of these protein sources when they find them.
• Fish: In some regions, black bears will fish for salmon or other fish species during spawning season. However, unlike grizzly bears, fishing is not a primary activity for most black bears.
• Carrion (Dead Animals): Black bears will scavenge on animal carcasses when they find them. They are opportunistic and will not pass up an easy meal, whether it’s a deer, moose, or even roadkill.

4. Human Food and Trash

In areas where black bears live close to human settlements, they may forage in garbage dumps or around campsites, searching for food. This behavior can lead to problems, as bears become habituated to human food, including:

• Garbage: Bears may rummage through trash cans for scraps of meat, fruits, or processed foods.
• Pet Food: Bears can be attracted to pet food left outdoors, especially high-protein kibble.
• Bird Feeders: Black bears are known to raid bird feeders for seeds, which provide them with a concentrated energy source.
• Human Food: In camping areas, black bears may attempt to steal food from campsites, coolers, or backpacks, particularly if proper precautions aren’t taken.

5. Seasonal Variations in Diet

The diet of black bears changes throughout the year based on the availability of different foods:

• Spring: After emerging from hibernation, black bears mainly eat grasses, buds, and young shoots, as these are the first foods available. They also hunt small animals and feed on carrion left from winter.
• Summer: Insects, fruits, and berries become more abundant, and black bears will gorge themselves on these high-energy foods. They may also eat more fish or small animals during this time.
• Fall: This is a critical time for black bears as they prepare for hibernation. They eat nuts, seeds, and any remaining fruits or berries. During this time, they consume as much as possible to build up fat reserves.
• Winter: During hibernation, black bears do not eat, but they rely on the fat reserves they built up during the fall.

Conclusion

Black bears are opportunistic and adaptable feeders that eat a wide range of foods. While their diet is mostly plant-based, including berries, fruits, and nuts, they also consume insects, small animals, and carrion. In areas where black bears live near humans, they may be drawn to human food and garbage. Their diet shifts seasonally, focusing on high-energy foods in the fall to prepare for hibernation.