Head to head
Asiatic Black Bear vs American Black Bear
Asiatic Black Bear
VS American Black Bear
The Asiatic black bear and American black bear are two forest bears of the northern hemisphere, both omnivores that climb well, but they differ in marking, numbers, and the pressures they face.
| Asiatic Black Bear | American Black Bear | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ursus thibetanus | Ursus americanus |
| Coat | Black with a pale crescent or V-shaped patch on the chest, which gave it the name moon bear | Colour ranges from jet black through cinnamon and blond to the white spirit bear of coastal British Columbia |
| Range | Forest and mountains from Iran and the Himalayas through Southeast Asia to Japan and the Russian Far East | Forested regions across most of Canada, much of the United States, and the mountains of northern Mexico |
| Diet | Fruit, nuts, acorns, insects, honey, carrion, and small animals | Roughly 85 percent plant matter, plus insects, honey, carrion, fish, and occasionally young deer or elk |
| Winter | Northern populations spend the winter in dens in a state of winter sleep | Dens for up to seven months without eating or drinking, but is not a true hibernator, with cubs born in the den |
| Climbing and nests | An excellent climber that breaks branches to make platform-like nests | Not specifically documented |
| Population | Declining across much of its range | Around 800,000 to 950,000 and increasing |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable, with a decreasing population | Least Concern, with an increasing population |
Asiatic Black Bear vs American Black Bear: common questions
Why is the Asiatic black bear called the moon bear?
It has a pale crescent or V-shaped patch on its chest that looks like a crescent moon.
Which black bear is more common?
The American black bear, the most common bear in the world, with around 800,000 to 950,000 animals.
Where do the Asiatic and American black bears live?
The Asiatic black bear lives from Iran and the Himalayas to Japan and the Russian Far East, while the American black bear lives across Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico.