Mammals
Carnivores

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, Canada

The American Black Bear is by far the commonest member of the bear family and there are, in fact, more individual Black Bears than there are individuals of all the other bear species combined!

Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, Canada

They are very opportunistic in their feeding strategies, eating everything from deer to fruit. It may be a surprise to many people but in the spring and early summer, before the nuts and berries come into season, as much as 80% of their calorie intake comes from eating ants. 

Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, Canada

In coastal areas, Black Bears can often be found on the shoreline searching for shellfish hiding under rocks or in rock pools at low tide.