Plant-based foods:
* Fruits: Berries, apples, grapes, plums, persimmons, acorns, and other nuts
* Grasses, weeds, and other vegetation: Including roots, tubers, and shoots
* Honey: A favorite treat that they often raid beehives for
Animal-based foods:
* Insects: Ants, beetles, caterpillars, and grubs
* Small mammals: Mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits
* Carrion: Dead animals, often roadkill
* Fish: They will fish when the opportunity arises, especially for trout and bass
* Eggs: Bird eggs are a seasonal treat
Seasonal variations:
Their diet changes based on the season and food availability. For example, in the spring, they focus on emerging plants and insects. During the summer, they eat a lot of fruits and berries. In the fall, they eat a high-fat diet of nuts and acorns to build up fat reserves for hibernation.
Human food:
Black bears are attracted to human food, and it's important to keep trash and food secured to avoid attracting them. This can be dangerous both for humans and the bears.