American Black Bear

Hi there! My name is Bear, and I'm an American Black Bear. I have thick, shaggy black fur that keeps me warm and cozy. My fur is very soft and helps me stay toasty on cool days. I live in a big, beautiful forest full of tall trees and so many yummy smells. I love my home in the woods.

My favorite thing to do is eat. I am an omnivore, which is a big word that means I eat both plants and other little critters. I love munching on sweet berries that I find on bushes. I also eat crunchy nuts that fall from the trees. Sometimes I find tasty little bugs to snack on, too. If I am near a river, I will splash in the water to catch a fish for dinner. It is so much fun to splash and play.

When I'm not eating, I love to climb. My sharp claws are perfect for scrambling right up to the top of the tallest trees. I can go up, up, up until I am very high. It's so fun to look down on my forest home from the top of a tree. I can see everything from way up there.

When the air gets cold and the snow begins to fall, I get very sleepy. This means it is time for my long winter's nap. I find a snug den under a log or in a little cave and curl up for a long, long sleep. I sleep all through the winter until the warm spring sun wakes me up.

After my nap, I help the forest. By spreading seeds from the berries I eat, I help new plants grow. This makes the forest healthy and beautiful. I'm a forest gardener, and I love my job.