The black bear has often been an animal that’s both beloved and misunderstood at the same time. Some people consider them to be majestic omnivores who can often be seen foraging for berries, fish, small mammals, and sometimes people’s trash cans. Others see them as potentially dangerous animals to stay away from. The one thing that we know is that these animals have earned their own place on the calendar with a holiday called National Black Bear Day. This holiday, celebrated on the first Saturday in June, allows everyone to honor this animal that can be found from Alaska down to northern Mexico.

Fun Facts About Black Bears

Want some more facts about black bears? If you do, then we’ve rounded up a basket of great facts that we’ve found on the internet.

• Black bears can weigh as little as 45 kg or as much as 250 kg.
• Alaskan black bears that can feed off of salmon can weigh up to 30 kg more than black bears found elsewhere in North America.
• There are believed to be about 800,000 black bears in North America.

Observing National Black Bear Day

We feel that the best way to celebrate National Black Bear Day is by taking the time to learn more about them. They are neither cute and harmless creatures nor are they marauding animals. They are wild animals that people should respect. And that means respecting their habitat and following the rules of any national park where they may be found. It also means not feeding them, as this can make them less cautious of human beings and allow them to wander into human neighborhoods more freely. While you’re respecting them and their habitat, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalBlackBearDay to spread the word about this holiday.