Black Bear

Black Bear (Ursus americanus), a North American bear, differing from the brown bear (q.v.) of Europe in the colour of its fur, more rounded skull, and smaller size, rarely exceeding five feet in length. It is practically vegetarian in diet, and rather timid, rarely attacking man unless it is wounded and brought to bay, or in defence of its young. The fur is used for rugs, trimmings, etc., and for bearskin caps, holsters, and other military accoutrements. The name is also applied to U. tibetanus, the Himalayan Bear, or Indian Black Bear, about the size of the American form, but with a white chin, a collar of long hair, and a broad Y-shaped mark on the breast.