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Identification: Head and body five to six
feet; height at shoulders two to three feet. Color varies from black
to cinnamon to nearly white. There is usually a small patch of white
on the breast. Habitat: Primarily forests, swamps; in west,
chiefly mountainous areas. Habits: Mostly nocturnal, but
occasionally abroad at midday. Usually solitary, except female with
cubs. Eats berries, nuts, tubers, insects and their larvae, small
mammals, eggs, honey, carrion, garbage. Dens beneath downed tree, in hollow log or tree, beneath roots,
or wherever there is shelter. Semi-hibernates in winter in the north.
Males may range 15 miles or more, females less. Speed more than 30 mph
for short distances. Sight is poor, hearing moderate, sense of smell
good. Voice varies from a loud growl when fighting to a woof woof
to warn cubs of danger and a whimper to call cubs. May live 30 or more
years. Young: Born in winter den, January or February; normally two
cubs, but at times one to three; gestation
period seven to eight months; one litter every other year. Eyes of
cubs open at 25 to 30 days; weaned in August but may stay with mother for
one year; first mate at three years.
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