what color is a black bear

A black bear is not always black in color. While the most common color is black, black bears can actually be found in a variety of colors including black, brown (ranging from deep chocolate to cinnamon), blonde, white, grey, and even blue-gray. This color variation is due to genetics and the pigment melanin in their fur and skin. The different colors are thought to have adaptive purposes such as camouflage and thermoregulation depending on the bear's environment. For example, black bears in dense forests tend to be black, while those in sunnier, more open areas are often brown, cinnamon, or blonde. Rarely, white or nearly white black bears (called Kermode bears) appear in some regions as well. Overall, around 70% of American black bears are black, but the rest show these other color phases.