Lean black bears can run at speeds of up to 30 or 35 miles per hour. Black bears are very agile, excellent swimmers and climbers, and can run uphill and downhill.
North America's most well-known and common bear, black bears are generally found in forests, but may live among mountains and swamps as well. Adults grow to an average of 5 to 6 feet in length and weigh between 200 and 600 pounds. Opportunistic eaters, their diet primarily consists of various berries, grasses, insects and roots. Black bears occasionally feed on fish and small mammals, and are also attracted to human food.
