Plant matter:
- Berries: Black bears are known to consume a variety of berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and elderberries.
- Fruits: Fruits such as apples, pears, and plums are also part of the black bear diet.
- Nuts: Black bears are fond of nuts, including acorns, hickory nuts, and beechnuts.
- Grasses and leaves: They may also feed on grasses and leaves, especially in the spring when other food sources are scarce.
- Honey: Black bears are known to raid beehives to consume honey and the insect larvae within.
Animal matter:
- Insects: Black bears eat insects such as ants, beetles, and caterpillars.
- Fish: They may also catch and eat fish from streams and lakes, particularly during spawning seasons.
- Small mammals: Black bears prey on small mammals like mice, voles, and squirrels.
- Ungulates: They may occasionally hunt and kill ungulates such as deer, elk, and moose.
- Carrion: Black bears are not above scavenging on carcasses left behind by other predators or natural causes.
Overall, the diet of American black bears is adaptable and flexible, allowing them to exploit a wide range of food sources depending on availability.