The American black bear has a subspecies known as the cinnamon bear (Ursus americanus cinnamomum). The bear gets its name from the color of its fur, which is a reddish brown rather than black. Many people argue that it should not be considered a distinct subspecies.
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Habitat of a cinnamon bear
There are cinnamon bears in the southwestern Canadian and Northwestern American regions, including Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Idaho, Western Montana, Western Wyoming, Eastern Colorado, and Northeastern Utah (regions with drier climate). Black bears in wetter regions are more likely to be a true black color.
Characteristics
Similar to the standard black bear found in the United States, the cinnamon bear is both large and stout. On all fours, it reaches a height of about 3 feet, and its weight ranges from about 200 to 600 pounds (depending on the availability of food). Its coat is thicker and longer and finer than that of a typical black bear.
Diet
Vegetables, nuts, fruit, honey, and even insects, small rodents, fish, and carrion are just some of the many foods that cinnamon bears enjoy.
Breeding
Sexual maturity typically occurs between the ages of 4 and 5 for females and 5 to 6 for males. The months of June through the middle of July are prime mating months. The average duration of pregnancy is 7 months. The fertilized eggs aren’t implanted into the mother’s uterus until the fall, giving her plenty of time to stock up on fat for her cubs. During the months of January and February, when the mother is dormant, she gives birth to her litter of 2 or 3 cubs. They stay with mom for about 17 months.
