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What the sources say

American Black BearUrsus americanus

Every figure, record and mechanism on the American Black Bear profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 46 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Ursus americanus (American black bear). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysForests, from northern Alaska and Canada south through most of the U.S. into central Mexico
The source saysBlack bears can be found from northern Alaska east across Canada to Labrador and Newfoundland, and south through much of Alaska, virtually all of Canada, and most of the U.S. into central MexicoNote: stats.habitat
The page saysForests, from northern Alaska and Canada south through most of the U.S. into central Mexico
The source saysTerrestrial Biomes forestNote: stats.habitat
The page saysMales are 1,400 to 2,000 mm long (1.4 to 2 m)
The source saysTotal body length in males ranges from 1400 to 2000 mmNote: 1400 to 2000 mm is 1.4 to 2 m
The page saysweigh 47 to 409 kg
The source saysMales weigh between 47 and 409 kg
The page saysFemales run 1,200 to 1,600 mm and 39 to 236 kg
The source saysand from 1200 to 1600 mm in females. Tail length ranges from 80 to 140 mm. Males weigh between 47 and 409 kg, females weigh between 39 and 236 kg.
The page saysBlack bears are usually black, particularly in eastern North America
The source saysBlack bears are usually black in color, particularly in eastern North America.
The page saysWestern populations are more often brown, cinnamon or blonde
The source saysWestern populations are usually lighter in color, being more often brown, cinnamon, or blonde.
The page sayssome in coastal British Columbia and Alaska are creamy white or bluish gray
The source saysSome populations in coastal British Columbia and Alaska are creamy white or bluish gray.
The page saysThey live from northern Alaska east across Canada to Labrador and Newfoundland, and south through most of the U.S. into central Mexico
The source saysBlack bears can be found from northern Alaska east across Canada to Labrador and Newfoundland, and south through much of Alaska, virtually all of Canada, and most of the U.S. into central Mexico
The page saysEach weighs 200 to 450 grams, the smallest young relative to adult size of any placental mammal, and is born naked and blind
The source saysAt birth the young weigh 200 to 450 grams each, the smallest young relative to adult size of any placental mammal. They are born naked and blind.
The page saysAnimal Diversity Web counts fewer than 36 human deaths from black bear encounters in the 20th century
The source saysfewer than 36 human deaths resulted from black bear encounters in the 20th century
The page sayscalls black bears generally timid
The source saysBlack bears are generally very timid
The page saysBig, and not always black
The source saysBlack bears are usually black in color, particularly in eastern North America.Note: heading; 'not always' = usually black, lighter in the west
The page saysThe name does not always fit
The source saysBlack bears are usually black in color, particularly in eastern North America.Note: lead-in to the colour paragraph; usually black, lighter in the west

Source
02

National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Black Bears. National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The page saysA bear whose sense of smell is about seven times stronger than a bloodhound's
The source saysBlack bears have an incredible sense of smell; about seven times stronger than a bloodhound.Note: tagline
The page saysMostly plants (about 85% in the Smokies: nuts, acorns, berries), plus insects and carrion
The source saysRoughly 85% of their diet consists of plant materials, nuts and acorns are especially important during the fall.Note: stats.diet
The page saysplus insects and carrion
The source saysIn addition to plants, bears consume insects like ants, bees, and beetles, which provide essential protein. They also feed on animal carrion when availableNote: stats.diet
The page saysberries
The source saysThis powerful nose helps them find natural foods like insects, nuts, and berriesNote: stats.diet
The page saysA sense of smell about seven times stronger than a bloodhound's
The source saysBlack bears have an incredible sense of smell; about seven times stronger than a bloodhound.Note: stats.superpower
The page saysDeadly
The source saysattacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and deathNote: stats.dangerLevel
The page saysGreat Smoky Mountains National Park says a black bear's sense of smell is about seven times stronger than a bloodhound's
The source saysBlack bears have an incredible sense of smell; about seven times stronger than a bloodhound.
The page saysThe bear uses that nose to find natural foods like insects, nuts and berries
The source saysThis powerful nose helps them find natural foods like insects, nuts, and berries
The page saysIt can also draw a bear to human food and trash, including hot dogs and apple cores
The source saysthey can be drawn to any food source, including human food and trash. Items like hot dogs, apple cores, chip crumbs, and watermelon rinds left behind
The page saysIn the wild, a black bear lives about 12 to 15 years
The source saysThe lifespan of a black bear in the wild is about 12-15 years.
The page saysBlack bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals
The source saysBlack bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter.
The page saysIn the Smokies, roughly 85% of the diet is plant material, and nuts and acorns are especially important in fall. These high-energy foods help bears build up fat for winter
The source saysRoughly 85% of their diet consists of plant materials, nuts and acorns are especially important during the fall. These high-energy foods help bears build up fat reserves for winter.
The page saysBears also eat insects such as ants, bees and beetles, and carrion (dead animals) when they find it
The source saysbears consume insects like ants, bees, and beetles, which provide essential protein. They also feed on animal carrion when available
The page saysIt is rare for a black bear to hunt live animals
The source saysit’s rare for a black bear to hunt live animals.
The page saysBlack bears are not considered true hibernators. They enter torpor, a lighter form of hibernation
The source saysthey are not considered “true hibernators” like some smaller mammals, they enter a state known as torpor, which is a lighter and less intense form of hibernation.
The page saysDuring torpor a bear does not eat, drink, urinate or defecate
The source saysDuring torpor, bears do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate.
The page saysIn the northernmost part of the range, it has been known to last as long as seven months
The source saysIn the northernmost part of their range, hibernation has been known to last as long as seven months.
The page saysCubs are typically born in late January or early February while the mother is in her den
The source saysCubs are typically born in late January or early February while the mother is in her den.
The page saysMost animals that hibernate are small, often weighing just a few ounces. How a large mammal manages it is still not fully understood.
The source saysmost animals that hibernate are small, often weighing just a few ounces. The fact that a large mammal, which can weigh hundreds of pounds, is able to hibernate at all is still not fully understood.
The page saysBears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable, and attacks have caused serious injuries and death
The source saysBears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death.
The page saysSuch attacks are extremely rare
The source saysAlthough extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred
The page saysGreat Smoky Mountains National Park says black bears can run up to 30 miles per hour
The source saysTheir non-retractable claws and flat-footed gait help them climb trees, swim efficiently, and run up to 30 miles per hour.
The page saysIts advice if a bear follows you is to change direction, stand your ground if it keeps coming, and never run or turn your back
The source saysIf a bear approaches or follows you, change your direction. If it continues to follow, stand your ground. Never run or turn your back.
The page saysbears that rely on human food are more likely to be hit by cars, targeted by poachers or suffer poor health
The source saysStudies show that bears who rely on human food live shorter lives as they’re more likely to be hit by cars, targeted by poachers, or suffer from poor health.
The page saysBears with access to human food often live only half as long as the 12 to 15 years typical in the wild
The source saysThe lifespan of a black bear in the wild is about 12-15 years. However, bears that gain access to human food and garbage often live only half as long.
The page saysA nose about seven times stronger than a bloodhound's
The source saysBlack bears have an incredible sense of smell; about seven times stronger than a bloodhound.
The page saysNever run or turn your back.
The source saysNever run or turn your back.
The page saysDens are often hollow stumps, tree cavities or dense brush piles
The source saysThese dens are often in locations such as hollow stumps, tree cavities, or dense brush piles.
The page saysMany Smokies bears pick a spot high above the ground in a standing hollow tree, which the park says is rarely seen in other parts of the country
The source saysmany bears in the Smokies region choose to den high above the ground in standing hollow trees, which is a behavior rarely seen in other parts of the country.
The page saysA black bear in torpor does not eat or drink
The source saysDuring torpor, bears do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate.Note: vibe.reason
The page saysthat winter has been known to last seven months
The source saysIn the northernmost part of their range, hibernation has been known to last as long as seven months.Note: vibe.reason

Source
03

Garshelis et al. 2016

Garshelis et al. (2016). Ursus americanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41687A45034604.

The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).Note: stats.conservationStatus

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.