Cinnamon Bear Cinnamon Bear
Cinnamon Bear

Scientific Classification

Common Name
cinnamon bear
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Ursidae
Genus Species
Ursus (bear) americanus cinnamomum

Fast Facts

Description
The cinnamon bear is a subspecies of the black bear, the smallest type of North American bear. As its name implies, the cinnamon bear has rusty brown fur.
Size
Height at the shoulder to 0.9 m (3 ft.). Cubs weigh approximately 0.23 kg (0.5 lbs.) at birth.
Male: Males grow much larger than females
Weight
92.1 to 270 kg (203 to 595 lbs.)
Diet
Omnivorous; eats both animal and plant matter; diet includes fruit, vegetation, nuts, honey, and occasionally insects and meat
Incubation
Total gestation lasts approximately 220 days including a period of delayed implantation. Development of the embryo only occurs during the final 10 weeks of pregnancy. Usually 2 to 3 cubs are born per litter.
Estral Period
Mating peaks from June through mid July
Nursing Duration
Approximately 17 months (wean)
Sexual Maturity
Male:  Approximately 5 to 6 years
Female: Approximately 4 to 5 years
Life Span
Maximum of 30 years
Range
This subspecies is found in Wyoming, western Montana, Idaho, eastern Colorado, and parts of Canada (Waterton, Banff, and Jasper National parks)
Habitat
No data
Population
Global: Unknown
Status 
IUCN: Not listed
CITES: Appendix II
USFWS: Species is listed as SAT (similarity of appearance to a threatened taxon); U. a. luteolus is listed as Threatened

Fun Facts

  1. Bears can be found throughout most of the lowland and mountainous ranges in North America.
  2. Black bears, including cinnamon bears, are excellent climbers, good runners, and powerful swimmers.
  3. Cubs are born in winter and nestle in their mother's fur for warmth and to nurse.

Ecology and Conservation

Populations of black bears have been eliminated from certain parts of their original range due to hunting. In many cases, bears are also seen as a threat to livestock and perceived as a nuisance to humans.


Bibliography

Nowak, Ronald M. (ed.). Walker's Mammals of the World. Vol. I. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999.

Parker, S. (ed.). Grizmek's Encyclopedia of Mammals. Vol. IV. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., 1990.

Wilson, D.E. and Ruff, S. eds. Washington. Smithsonian Institution Press. Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Online; https://www.bearstudy.org/website/publications/published-papers.html. 1999.