We share our continent with a wonderful and often misunderstood creature: the American Black bear. Although this bear is called black, it is not always black in color. It is also not the angry, dangerous animal that is sometimes portrayed in stories or movies. Unless threatened, black bears are shy creatures that prefer a solitary life in the forest away from human contact. In this book, you will learn interesting facts about the bear's characteristics, his life and behavior and his responses to humans in his environment. You will understand the black bear's habits and needs. As well as learn about the mysterious state of hibernation. You will enjoy over 27 full-color pictures of bears in the wild. By the end of this book, you will be able to identify common myths about bears and know the real facts. With increasing urbanization, humans must learn to co-exist with wildlife. Learning more about the needs of bears in our environment can help us protect them so they thrive for generations to come. This is an excellent and informative book for students in grades 5-8.