C
Species Profile

Cinnamon Bear

Ursus americanus

Cinnamon coat, black-bear heart
M Rose/Shutterstock.com

Cinnamon Bear Distribution

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Found in 66 states/provinces

Size Comparison

Human 5'8"
Cinnamon Bear 2 ft 9 in

Cinnamon Bear stands at 49% of average human height.

cinnamon Bear

At a Glance

Wild Species
Also Known As Black Bear, Cinnamon Bear, Bruin, North American Black Bear, Common Black Bear
Diet Omnivore
Activity Crepuscular+
Lifespan 18 years
Weight 270 lbs
Status Least Concern
Did You Know?

"Cinnamon bear" is not a separate species-it's a coat-color phase of the American black bear, common in parts of the western U.S. and Canada.

Scientific Classification

The American black bear is a widespread North American bear species. “Cinnamon bear” typically denotes individuals with a cinnamon-to-chocolate brown coat coloration (a common color phase), despite the species’ common name.

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Ursidae
Genus
Ursus
Species
Ursus americanus

Distinguishing Features

  • Medium-sized bear with variable coat color; cinnamon phase ranges from tan/cinnamon to dark brown
  • Lacks the prominent shoulder hump typical of many grizzlies (though field ID can be difficult)
  • Facial profile often straighter than grizzly; ears often appear taller/more pointed
  • Claws typically shorter and more curved than brown bear claws (not always obvious at distance)

Physical Measurements

Males and females differ in size

Height
♂ 2 ft 11 in (2 ft 4 in – 3 ft 5 in)
♀ 2 ft 11 in (2 ft 4 in – 3 ft 5 in)
Length
♂ 5 ft 7 in (3 ft 11 in – 6 ft 7 in)
♀ 5 ft 3 in (4 ft 2 in – 6 ft 8 in)
Weight
♂ 265 lbs (126 lbs – 551 lbs)
♀ 176 lbs (86 lbs – 520 lbs)
Tail Length
♂ 4 in (3 in – 6 in)
♀ 4 in (3 in – 5 in)
Top Speed
30 mph
Up to 48 km/h

Appearance

Primary Colors
Brown Tan
Secondary Colors
Black Cream
Skin Type Thick, double-layered fur—coarse guard hairs over dense underfur; skin is rarely seen. Plantigrade feet have hairy legs and strong curved claws for climbing and digging; foreclaws shorter, more curved than grizzly bears.
Distinctive Features
  • Taxonomy clarification: 'cinnamon bear' refers to a cinnamon-to-chocolate coat color phase of the American black bear (Ursus americanus), not a distinct species/subspecies on its own.
  • Adult American black bears (cinnamon phase, Ursus americanus) usually weigh about 57–250 kg for males and 41–170 kg for females, are 1.2–2.0 m long, and 0.7–1.0 m tall at the shoulder; ranges vary by region.
  • Usually lives about 18–23 years in the wild; some wild bears live over 30 years. In captivity they can live past 40, sometimes about 44. Lifespan varies with hunting, food, and people.
  • Found across forested and mountain areas of Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico; cinnamon-phase black bears are common in western mountain, mixed conifer and aspen forests, shrublands, and near streams.
  • Seasonal coat effects: cinnamon coats can appear lighter in late summer due to UV bleaching of guard hairs, then darken after molt.
  • Cinnamon-phase American black bears can look like grizzlies. They have straighter faces, taller pointy ears, smaller shoulder humps, and shorter, curved foreclaws. Behavior can mislead, so telling them apart in overlap zones is uncertain.
  • Behavior relevant to appearance: undergo winter torpor/denning; fat deposition in late summer-fall can noticeably change body shape (more rounded torso/neck). Den duration varies with latitude/sex/reproductive status (often ~3-7 months in northern areas).

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is pronounced: adult males average larger and more robust than females across most populations (mass and skull size differences commonly reported in species accounts; magnitude varies by region and food availability). Color phase (cinnamon) occurs in both sexes.

♂
  • Typically heavier and broader-headed; thicker neck/shoulders; more massive forequarters.
  • Greater average body mass than females (species-wide adult male range commonly cited ~57-250 kg, varying regionally).
♀
  • Typically smaller-bodied with a narrower head and less massive neck/shoulders.
  • Lower average body mass than males (species-wide adult female range commonly cited ~41-170 kg, varying regionally).

Did You Know?

"Cinnamon bear" is not a separate species-it's a coat-color phase of the American black bear, common in parts of the western U.S. and Canada.

Adult size: head-body length ~120-200 cm; tail ~8-14 cm; typical adult mass ~41-170 kg (females) and ~57-250 kg (males), varying strongly by region/food supply (Lariviere 2001; Pelton 2003).

Wild longevity is commonly ~18-20 years, but individuals can exceed 25; captive records reach >40 years (Pelton 2003; AZA/long-term captive records).

Hibernation physiology is extreme: during winter dormancy, heart rate can drop from ~40-50 bpm to ~8-10 bpm while bears recycle nitrogen and avoid urination/defecation for months (Nelson et al., hibernation studies).

Reproduction uses delayed implantation: mating occurs in late spring/summer, implantation is delayed until late fall, and cubs are typically born in January-February (Pelton 2003).

They're mostly plant-eaters: across many populations, vegetation often makes up >70-80% of annual diet, with insects, carrion, and occasional vertebrate prey filling the rest (Pelton 2003; Powell et al. 1997).

Cinnamon-phase black bears can be confused with grizzlies-so identification should rely on multiple traits, not color alone (see behaviors section).

Unique Adaptations

  • Color-phase diversity: American black bears show wide natural coat variation (black, chocolate, cinnamon, blond, and rarely bluish/"glacier" in some coastal regions), aiding camouflage across varied habitats without representing separate taxa.
  • Hibernation without eating/drinking: they can remain in dens for months with minimal movement, relying on fat stores and physiological recycling of wastes (notably nitrogen/urea) to limit muscle and bone loss (Nelson et al.).
  • Powerful olfaction: a large nasal cavity and scent-oriented foraging allow them to locate patchy foods (berries, mast, carrion) across complex forest terrain-key to their broad geographic range.
  • Claws and feet built for climbing and travel: plantigrade feet for stability; relatively short, curved front claws (often ~3-5 cm) favor climbing and manipulation compared with grizzly bears' longer, straighter front claws (often ~5-10 cm).
  • Dentition for omnivory: large molars with broad crushing surfaces for nuts/vegetation, paired with canines capable of processing meat when available.
  • Fat-storage strategy: extreme seasonal fattening supports reproduction-females can give birth and nurse in the den while fasting, powered by stored energy (Pelton 2003).

Interesting Behaviors

  • Seasonal hyperphagia: in late summer/fall, individuals can spend most of the day feeding to build fat reserves for winter dormancy (documented across North American populations; Pelton 2003).
  • Flexible denning: dens may be dug into hillsides, tucked under root wads, in rock cavities, or inside hollow trees; den choice varies with local climate and available cover (Pelton 2003).
  • Expert climbing (especially juveniles): black bears commonly climb to escape threats or reach mast (acorns, nuts) and fruit; their shorter, more curved claws aid climbing relative to grizzlies.
  • Omnivorous foraging strategies: turning logs for insects, stripping berry patches, digging for roots, and opportunistic scavenging-diet shifts rapidly with season and region.
  • Strong homing and site fidelity: many individuals reuse productive feeding areas and travel established routes between seasonal foods; home-range size varies widely with sex and habitat productivity (Powell et al. 1997).
  • Mother-cub behavior: females typically have 1-3 cubs (often 2). Cubs remain with the mother about ~16-18 months, learning foods and avoiding danger before separation (Pelton 2003).
  • Cautious avoidance of humans: in most landscapes black bears are primarily crepuscular/nocturnal around people, but can become daytime-active and food-conditioned where attractants are available.

Cultural Significance

Indigenous nations long view Bear as a powerful relative, teacher, and healer, often without naming species. The American black bear (cinnamon color phase) is a modern icon of wilderness and conservation (e.g., Smokey Bear). Color alone can mislead when telling them apart from grizzlies.

Myths & Legends

Cherokee stories include "How the Bear Lost His Tail," in which Bear's short tail is explained through trickery and winter hardship-an origin tale teaching caution and humility.

In many Ojibwe traditions, the bear is linked to medicine and healing; Bear clan teachings emphasize protection and knowledge of plants.

Haida and Tlingit oral traditions include "Bear Mother" narratives, where a woman marries Bear or joins Bear people; the stories teach respect for bears, kinship obligations, and proper behavior in the forest.

Iroquois Confederacy sky lore connects the Great Bear constellation to seasonal change; the constellation's movement marks cycles of time and hunting stories.

Some Plateau and Interior Northwest traditions recount Bear as a powerful guardian/teacher who grants songs or rules for hunting-emphasizing reciprocity and restraint when taking animals.

Conservation Status

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant in the wild.

Population Stable

Protected Under

  • CITES Appendix II (Ursus americanus listed; international trade regulated)
  • Managed/protected under a patchwork of federal, state, provincial, and territorial wildlife laws across its range (e.g., regulated hunting seasons/quotas; protections within many national and provincial parks and other protected areas)

Life Cycle

Birth 2 cubs
Lifespan 18 years

Lifespan

In the Wild
10–39 years
In Captivity
15–44 years

Reproduction

Mating System Polygynandry
Social Structure Solitary
Breeding Pattern Transient
Fertilization Internal Fertilization
Birth Type Internal_fertilization

American black bears (Ursus americanus), including cinnamon phase, are polygynandrous (many males and females mate with several partners) and form short bonds around estrus. They have delayed implantation; births occur in winter. Litter size 1–3; females care for cubs.

Behavior & Ecology

Social Sleuth Group: 1
Activity Crepuscular, Cathemeral, Diurnal, Nocturnal
Diet Omnivore Seasonally energy-dense mast and fruit-especially acorns/beechnuts and berry crops (key fall hyperphagia foods).
Seasonal Hibernates

Temperament

Typically wary/avoidant of people and other bears when not at concentrated foods; most interactions are brief and distance-increasing (Garshelis 2009).
Opportunistic and flexible: can become more tolerant of close conspecific presence at high-density foods (mast, salmon, anthropogenic subsidies), forming temporary feeding 'HUB' aggregations (Rogers 1987; Beckmann & Berger 2003).
Defensive aggression is most likely in mother-cub situations or at very close range (e.g., sudden encounters); males can be aggressive toward other males in breeding contexts (Pelton 2003).
Boldness varies strongly with human food conditioning/habituation: populations with access to anthropogenic foods show higher diurnality/nocturnality shifts and reduced flight distances compared with remote populations (Beckmann & Berger 2003).
Cinnamon coat color phase is a pigmentation variant and is not associated with a distinct temperament or social organization relative to other Ursus americanus individuals.

Communication

Huffs/blows and 'woofing' exhalations Often in agitation or warning
Jaw-popping/clacking Close-range threat or arousal signal
Moans/groans and bawls during distress or conflict.
Sow-to-cub contact calls; cubs produce loud squalls/bawls when distressed or separated.
Roars/screams are reported but are comparatively uncommon and usually associated with intense aggression or extreme distress Summarized in Garshelis 2009
Olfactory signaling via urine, scat, and glandular scents; chemical cues are central for mate assessment and spacing in overlapping home ranges Garshelis 2009
Tree rubbing and scratching/claw marking "sign posts") that deposit scent and leave visual marks; often increases during the breeding season and in travel corridors (Pelton 2003; Garshelis 2009
Body language/posture: head/neck positioning, lateral presentation, approach-retreat patterns, and rapid displacement movements to manage spacing at food hubs.
Tactile communication in family groups Mother-cub contact, nursing, grooming, and close following) that maintains cohesion during the 1+ year association (Rogers 1987

Habitat

Forest Deciduous Forest Coniferous Forest Woodland Shrubland Grassland Mountain Alpine Meadow Wetland Swamp Marsh Bog River/Stream Lake Pond Coastal Urban Suburban Agricultural/Farmland +13
Biomes:
Temperate Forest Temperate Rainforest Boreal Forest (Taiga) Alpine Wetland Freshwater
Terrain:
Mountainous Hilly Plateau Plains Valley Coastal Island Riverine Rocky +3
Elevation: Up to 13123 ft 4 in

Ecological Role

Omnivorous mesopredator and major omnivore-forager that links plant production, invertebrate biomass, and vertebrate carrion/predation pathways; strong seasonal consumer of mast/fruit and an effective seed disperser.

Seed dispersal via endozoochory of berries and other fruits (often long-distance movements) Influences plant community regeneration by concentrating on mast/fruit crops and dispersing viable seeds Population regulation/impact on select prey (notably insects and occasional ungulate neonates) Carrion consumption and nutrient redistribution (scavenging, moving carcass material) Soil disturbance and aeration via digging for roots/insects (small-scale bioturbation)

Diet Details

Main Prey:
Social insects Beetles and other insects Rodents Ungulate neonates Fish Carrion
Other Foods:
Hard mast Soft mast Forbs and grasses Roots, bulbs, and rhizomes Cambium and shoots Fungi Honey +1

Human Interaction

Domestication Status

Wild

American Black Bear (cinnamon color phase) (Ursus americanus) is a wild species with no domestication history. Humans interact through hunting, conflict management, and wildlife tourism. Bears are drawn to human food, causing conflicts; managers use aversive conditioning, relocation, euthanasia for problem bears, regulated hunting, traps, marking, telemetry, and chemical immobilization.

Danger Level

Moderate
  • Physical injury from defensive attacks at close range (e.g., surprised bear, sow with cubs, bear defending a food source/carcass).
  • Predatory attacks are uncommon but documented; risk increases in rare contexts (habituation/food-conditioning, drought/poor natural food years, lone hikers, nighttime encounters).
  • Property damage and indirect human injury risks from vehicle collisions or bears breaking into structures/vehicles seeking food.
  • Public-safety risk is strongly mediated by human behavior: unsecured garbage/bird feed and intentional feeding increase encounter rates and aggression/food-conditioning. Quantitative context often cited in the scientific literature: fatal black bear attacks are rare at the continental scale; a commonly referenced review reports 63 fatal American black bear attacks in North America from 1900-2009 (Herrero et al., 2011), i.e., <1 fatality/year on average over that period. Non-fatal incidents are more common but still uncommon relative to the number of annual human-bear encounters in bear range.

As a Pet

Not Suitable as Pet

Legality: Keeping an American Black Bear (cinnamon phase, Ursus americanus) as a pet is mostly illegal or tightly limited. U.S. states often ban or need permits, cages, and licenses; Canada limits bears to accredited facilities. Moving across borders adds more rules.

Care Level: Expert Only

Purchase Cost: $500 - $5,000
Lifetime Cost: $100,000 - $300,000

Economic Value

Uses:
Regulated hunting and associated license/tag revenue Wildlife viewing/ecotourism Human-wildlife conflict management (public agencies and private contractors) Scientific research/monitoring and conservation programs Cultural value (Indigenous cultural significance; education/interpretation in zoos and nature centers)
Products:
  • Hunting services and licenses/tags (jurisdiction-dependent)
  • Meat (where legally harvested and utilized)
  • Hides/pelts and taxidermy services (where legally harvested)
  • Bear-safe waste systems and property protection services (indirect economic activity)
  • Tourism expenditures linked to bear viewing (guides, lodging, park fees)

Relationships

Predators 5

Human
Human Homo sapiens
Gray wolf
Gray wolf Canis lupus
Cougar
Cougar Puma concolor
Brown bear
Brown bear Ursus arctos
American black bear
American black bear Ursus americanus

Related Species 7

Brown bear
Brown bear Ursus arctos Shared Genus
Polar bear
Polar bear Ursus maritimus Shared Genus
Asiatic black bear
Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus Shared Genus
Giant panda
Giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca Shared Family
Sun bear
Sun bear Helarctos malayanus Shared Family
Sloth bear Melursus ursinus Shared Family
Spectacled bear
Spectacled bear Tremarctos ornatus Shared Family

Ecological Equivalents 5

Animals that fill a similar ecological role in their ecosystem

Brown bear
Brown bear Ursus arctos Shares a similar omnivorous niche and seasonal denning behavior, consuming berries, nuts, insects, deer, and salmon when available. American black bears (cinnamon phase, Ursus americanus) are generally smaller than grizzlies.
Asiatic black bear
Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus Forest-dwelling bear with a similar diet—nuts, fruit, insects, and sometimes small animals. Mostly solitary, climbs trees (especially when young), and uses seasonally rich foods to build fat for winter torpor/denning.
Sun bear
Sun bear Helarctos malayanus Smaller tropical analogue of an omnivorous, insect- and fruit-focused ursid that uses strong forelimbs and long claws to tear into decayed logs and termite nests. Functionally similar in the "generalist forest omnivore" niche, though it does not undergo prolonged winter denning due to low seasonality.
Wolverine
Wolverine Gulo gulo In northern and mountainous areas, they overlap as wide-ranging omnivores and scavengers that use carrion and seasonal animal foods. Although in a different family (Mustelidae), they fill similar roles and track carrion and seasonal food peaks.
Raccoon
Raccoon Procyon lotor Shares the generalist omnivore niche in many North American ecosystems (mast, fruits, invertebrates, eggs and carrion, and human-derived foods). Although smaller and subject to different predation risks, it is ecologically similar in its opportunistic foraging and high dietary flexibility.

“Cinnamon bear cubs don’t always look like their moms. They can be black, brown, or reddish-brown.”

Cinnamon Bear Summary

Believe it or not, not all black bears are black. There’s a subspecies of the North American black bear that’s warm brown and lives in more arid climates. But where their habitats overlap with regular black bears they can have cubs that are black, brown, or reddish-brown. Although their habitat is shrinking, fortunately these bears are not considered an endangered species.

Cinnamon Bear Facts

  • The cinnamon bear is a subspecies of the American black bear, the smallest North American bear species.
  • They can interbreed with black bears and have cubs of different colors.
  • Mothers give birth to 2-3 cubs in the winter while they hibernate.
  • Newborn cubs weigh only 1/2 pound — the weight of a large apple.
  • Poachers sell bear parts, including paws and gall, for use in traditional Asian medicine.

Cinnamon Bear Scientific Name

The scientific name is Ursus americanus cinnamomum.

It is from the Ursidae family of the Mammalia class.

Cinnamon Bear Appearance

These beautiful bears have brown or reddish-brown fur that looks like cinnamon spice. Its coat is thicker, longer, and finer than that of the black bear.

Their size is comparable to that of black bears. They stand 3 feet high at the shoulder when they are down on all fours, and they weigh anywhere from 200-600 pounds. Males are larger than females. The bears are heavier when food is abundant, especially in the fall when they pack on pounds to prepare for hibernation.

Cubs weigh only half a pound at birth! That’s about the weight of one large apple.

Cinnamon Bear standing

A young cinnamon bear stands at full height to peer over the ledge.

©Jim Cumming/Shutterstock.com

Cinnamon Bear Behavior

Like other bears, they are nocturnal – they sleep during the day and become active at night. They are especially active around dawn and dusk, and are great climbers, runners, and swimmers.

These bears are usually solitary creatures, with the exception of mothers who are still nursing cubs.

They hibernate during the winter. Depending on how cold the weather is, they start hibernating in late October or early November and don’t emerge from their dens until March or April.

Cinnamon Bear Habitat

They live mainly in forests in both the lowlands and mountains. They tend to be more common in drier, more arid regions, while black bears prefer moister forest conditions. The brown fur of the cinnamon bear provides advantageous camouflage against a background of dry grasses, dead tree limbs, and exposed rocks.

Cinnamon Bear Diet

Cinnamon bears are omnivores. They like fruit, vegetation, nuts and honey. They also eat insects, fish, small rodents, or carrion from dead animals they find in the woods.

Cinnamon Bear Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

A full-grown adult doesn’t have any major natural predators in its habitat, but mountain lions, wolves, or coyotes may take advantage of sick cubs or injured adults.

Humans are their main threat, due to encroachment on their habitat and hunting. Additionally, bears crossing roads or train tracks at night may collide with unsuspecting vehicles. Sometimes landowners will kill trespassing bears because they see them as a nuisance or a threat to pets, children, and livestock. Poaching for profit is also a problem. Poachers sell bear paws and gall on the black market where they fetch a high price for use in traditional Asian medicine.

Cinnamon Bear Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Females are sexually mature at 4-5 years old, while males become mature at 5-6 years old. The mating season is from June-July. After eggs are fertilized, they do not implant in the womb until the fall. This gives the mother time to build up her fat reserves to keep her babies healthy during hibernation. Gestation lasts 7 months. Usually, the mother has 2-3 cubs in January or February during hibernation. Cubs vary in color from black to brown to reddish-brown. They stay with their mother and nurse from her for around 17 months before going off on their own.

The typical lifespan of a wild cinnamon bear is 30 years.

Cinnamon Bear Population

It’s uncertain how many are in the wild, but they are not thought to be endangered. For comparison, the estimated population of the much more common North American black bear is 800,000.

Where the Cinnamon Bear is Found

Cinnamon bears are found most commonly in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States and Canada. Their main habitat is in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, California, Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia. However, they are also present in wilderness areas of eastern North America, including Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New York, Ontario, and Quebec.

Larger populations have been noted in the Baniff and Jasper National Parks, Canada.

 

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia / Published July 29, 2022 / Accessed September 7, 2022
  2. Bears of the World / Accessed September 7, 2022
  3. Bear Conservation / Published February 16, 2021 / Accessed September 7, 2022
  4. Sea World Parks & Entertainment / Accessed September 7, 2022
Drew Wood

About the Author

Drew Wood

Drew is a college professor and freelance writer who graduated from the University of Virginia. His travels have taken him to 25 countries and 44 states, where he has enjoyed learning about wildlife in a wide range of environments. In addition to his love of animals, he enjoys scary movies, landscaping, strategy games, and philosophical discussions over a cup of coffee. He is also an emotional support human to a neurotic Spanish Water Dog and a hyperactive Chihuahua mix.

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Cinnamon Bear FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

No. A Cinnamon bear is a subspecies of the North American black bear. It is smaller than the grizzly bear. Grizzly bears are also known as brown bears.

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