Black Bears
Some of the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary’s most popular residents are North American black bears Henry, Olive, and Herbie. Black bears come in more colors than any other North American mammal. They can be black, brown, cinnamon, blond, blue-gray, or white.
While California’s other native bear, the grizzly, was hunted to extinction, black bears are widespread. Generally found in timber and brush areas, they are intelligent and very strong. Black bears are omnivorous, eating grass, flowers, leaves, seeds, nuts, berries, fish, eggs, ants, small animals, and carrion. They are fond of honey and will raid wild bee nests, eating the honey, honeycomb, bees, and high protein larvae. Zookeepers occasionally treat the bears to honey and honeycombs from the Zoo Sanctuary’s own bee boxes.
Many bears throughout the United States find themselves in trouble as they become habituated to humans. Without fear of humans, bears can become dangerous and unable to remain in the wild. When camping it’s important to ensure food and other scented items like toothpaste are secured away so bears are not tempted to raid campsites. In areas where bears live, trash cans should be bear proof and well-meaning humans should refrain from feeding bears.
Eurasian Brown Bear
Matilda, a Eurasian brown bear, came to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary following the closure of the facility where she was previously housed. She had been living alongside a black bear, Herbie, who arrived at our sanctuary a short time earlier.
Although both species belong to the bear family, American black bears and Eurasian brown bears differ significantly in size, appearance, and behavior. Brown bears—including grizzlies—are generally larger, with a more pronounced shoulder hump, longer and more curved claws, and a distinctive “dished” facial profile.
The prominent shoulder hump seen in Eurasian brown bears is a mass of powerful muscle that supports their strong forelimbs. This adaptation enables them to dig dens, search for food such as roots and insects, and move heavy objects like logs and rocks. In contrast, black bears have shorter, more curved claws suited for climbing rather than digging, and they lack the muscular shoulder hump that distinguishes brown bears.