The American black bear is the smallest of the three bears species found in North America, and are found only in North America.

Black bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent tree-climbing ability.

Black bear fur is usually a uniform color except for a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear on their chests.

Eastern populations are usually black in color while western populations often show brown, cinnamon, and blond coloration in addition to black.

Black bears with white-bluish fur are known as Kermode (glacier) bears and these unique color phases are only found in coastal British Columbia, Canada.