Here's why:
* Born small and undeveloped: Baby black bears are born very small and undeveloped, weighing only about a pound. Their limbs are weak, and their bodies are not yet strong enough to support their weight.
* Eyes and ears not yet functional: Their eyes and ears are closed at birth and take several weeks to open and function properly.
* Limited mobility: They have limited mobility and cannot even crawl effectively for the first few weeks of life.
It takes several months for baby black bears to develop the strength, coordination, and sensory abilities necessary to walk independently. They usually start to walk unsteadily around 3-4 months old, and they continue to rely on their mother for guidance and protection for a year or more.