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Nature Bits The black bear is the most common species of bear in North America. The name "black" bear can be somewhat misleading as this species appears in a range of color phases that include black, chocolate brown, cinnamon brown, blue-black, and even white. Its face, in profile, can be straight or Roman-nosed, a distinguishing characteristic that helps differentiate it from the dish-faced grizzly and Alaskan brown bears. An adult black bear can weigh anywhere between 150 and 700 pounds. Males average 300 pounds while the smaller females average around 175. Males, when standing upright, measure between five and six feet tall; females, typical of mammals, are smaller, measuring four to five feet. On all fours, most adult black bears are between 2 1/2 and 3 feet at the shoulder. Habitat and Habits Black bears can be found from coast to coast throughout North America in a wide variety of the more heavily wooded habitats, ranging from swamps and wetlands to dry upland hardwood and coniferous forests, from the Yukon and Northwest Territory in Canada to the northern portions of Mexico. Although they will utilize open areas, bears prefer wooded cover with a dense understory. Reproduction and Care of the Young Sows and their cubs leave the dens when the cubs are approximately three months old. The young remain with the mother, who is the sole care giver, for the first year and a half of their lives. Growth during a cub's first year is rapid. At birth, the sightless cubs weigh about eight ounces. By the time that the cubs open their eyes at about six weeks of age, they weigh between three and four pounds. Typically, cubs weigh between 25 and 65 pounds by September and may, provided high quality food is readily available, weigh nearly 70-80 pounds by the time they enter the overwinter den with the sow in early November. |
| We would like to thank Acorn Naturalists for donating animal tracks for the parks Naturalist Program |
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The common snapping turtle is the largest turtle in Ohio. They seldom bask in the sun except in early
spring; therefore, though they are very abundant they are not seen as frequently as most other
turtles.
spring; therefore, though they are very abundant they are not seen as frequently as most other
turtles.
Description
Large specimens may weigh more than 35 pounds and have a carapace (shell) more than 14
inches long. The shell has three rows of keels that serrate towards the back.
Habitat and Habits
Although the snapping turtle's powerful, keen-edged jaws are capable of doing great damage to a
carelessly placed finger, stories of their snapping broom handles in half are greatly exaggerated.
However, great caution should be exercised when handling these exceptionally bold and aggressive
reptiles. Preferred habitat is fresh or brackish water with muddy bottoms and abundant vegetation.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
The reproductive biology of turtles is fascinating. With the exception of softshell turtles, the sex of
all species of Ohio turtles is dependent on the temperature at which the eggs develop. For
instance, snapping turtle eggs that develop at about 77oF will all hatch out as males, while eggs
that develop at much higher or lower temperatures will all hatch out as females. In the wild, warmer
eggs at the top of a nest may all hatch out as females, while cooler eggs at the bottom hatch out as
males.
Large specimens may weigh more than 35 pounds and have a carapace (shell) more than 14
inches long. The shell has three rows of keels that serrate towards the back.
Habitat and Habits
Although the snapping turtle's powerful, keen-edged jaws are capable of doing great damage to a
carelessly placed finger, stories of their snapping broom handles in half are greatly exaggerated.
However, great caution should be exercised when handling these exceptionally bold and aggressive
reptiles. Preferred habitat is fresh or brackish water with muddy bottoms and abundant vegetation.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
The reproductive biology of turtles is fascinating. With the exception of softshell turtles, the sex of
all species of Ohio turtles is dependent on the temperature at which the eggs develop. For
instance, snapping turtle eggs that develop at about 77oF will all hatch out as males, while eggs
that develop at much higher or lower temperatures will all hatch out as females. In the wild, warmer
eggs at the top of a nest may all hatch out as females, while cooler eggs at the bottom hatch out as
males.
BLACK BEAR
SNAPPING TURTLE
CANADA GOOSE
Before 1950, Canada geese were only known as migrants and winter visitors to Ohio. In the early 1950s, the Ohio
Division of Wildlife initiated a program to establish resident flocks within the state. These introduction efforts were
immediately successful.
Division of Wildlife initiated a program to establish resident flocks within the state. These introduction efforts were
immediately successful.
Description
The Canada goose is a large gray-bodied bird with a black head and long black necks. The best field mark is the
large white cheek and throat patch. The sexes are alike. The size of this goose varies considerably - some are
the size of a large duck and others are two to three times larger. At least 10 distinct subspecies exist.
Habitat and Habits
Thanks to wildlife management efforts by the Division of Wildlife of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the
Canada goose is now living in Ohio year-round. Several large lakes and marshy areas have permanent flocks of
thousands of geese. Their diet consists of plant material. They migrate by day and night in noisy V-shaped
formations. The song is a loud honk.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Canada geese have proven to be adaptable in their choice of nesting habitats. Typical nesting sites are on the
ground adjacent to a pond or lake and on small islands in lakes and rivers. They maintain a small territory around
these nests which is aggressively defended by the males. Most clutches are laid before April 15 and the majority
of young geese hatch before May 10. The young geese attain flight after eight to nine weeks, and the family
groups normally remain intact into autumn.
The Canada goose is a large gray-bodied bird with a black head and long black necks. The best field mark is the
large white cheek and throat patch. The sexes are alike. The size of this goose varies considerably - some are
the size of a large duck and others are two to three times larger. At least 10 distinct subspecies exist.
Habitat and Habits
Thanks to wildlife management efforts by the Division of Wildlife of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the
Canada goose is now living in Ohio year-round. Several large lakes and marshy areas have permanent flocks of
thousands of geese. Their diet consists of plant material. They migrate by day and night in noisy V-shaped
formations. The song is a loud honk.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Canada geese have proven to be adaptable in their choice of nesting habitats. Typical nesting sites are on the
ground adjacent to a pond or lake and on small islands in lakes and rivers. They maintain a small territory around
these nests which is aggressively defended by the males. Most clutches are laid before April 15 and the majority
of young geese hatch before May 10. The young geese attain flight after eight to nine weeks, and the family
groups normally remain intact into autumn.
THANKS TO ODNR-DIV. OF WILDLIFE FOR THE INFO AND PHOTOS FOR OUR NATURE BITS