June 6 - National Black Bear Day

Happy National Black Bear Day! On the first Saturday in June, today recognizes the most commonly found bear in North America.  

Also known as the American black bear, its scientific name is Ursus americanus. Despite their name, black bears can even come shades of cinnamon, blue/black, blue/grey and in rare instances, white.  

Found in forty states and every Canadian province, the black bear’s enormous range is only beaten by one other four-legged mammal, the whitetail deer. 

According to North Carolina Black Bear Biologist, Colleen Olfenbuttel, coastal North Carolina has the largest black bears on the planet.  

  

The current world record and the previous world record came from North Carolina. She also points out the northeastern part of the state also has the world’s highest black bear densities.  

  

In North Carolina, black bears have access to high protein crops and enjoy mild winters – which is why they are so many bears and grow to be so enormous there.  

When a black bear stands on its hind legs, it has the most human-like qualities. They have a prey instead of a predator mentality, so they aren’t interested in eating you or your pets.  

  

Because they are omnivores, bears eat plants and animals. They forage for berries, roots, and insects, but will also eat small mammals, fish, and carrion.  

  

If a bear has been fed human food, it will also help himself to your picnic leftovers or camping supplies. This is where they have earned a bad reputation, but that’s why we shouldn’t feed the bears! 

  

HOW TO OBSERVE 

  

Learn more about the American black bear. It’s likely you live within driving distance of a preserve where black bears can be observed in the wild.  

  

Respect their habitat, follow the park’s rules, and you’ll get to view one of North America’s most extraordinary animals.  

  

Use #NationalBlackBearDay to share on social media. 

  

HISTORY 

  

NC Black Bear Festival founded National Black Bear Day the first Saturday in June to celebrate America’s black bear while educating people about this magnificent mammal and dispelling many of the myths. 

Beginning in 2018, the Registrar at National Day Calendar® proclaimed National Black Bear Day to be observed annually. 

#NationalBlackBearDay 

#BlackBearsMatter 

@NCBearFest 

@nichecinema 

DATES
June 05, 2021 
June 04, 2022 
June 03, 2023 
June 01, 2024 
June 07, 2025 
June 06, 2026 
June 05, 2027 
June 03, 2028 
June 02, 2029