American black bear

Description:

A medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. American black bears often mark trees using their teeth and claws as a form of communication with other bears, a behavior common to many species of bears.[

Habitat:

They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in search of food. Sometimes they become attracted to human communities because of the immediate availability of food.

Notes:

Saw this female with 2 cubs while driving through Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains. Was only able to get this one photo before see took her cubs and moved deeper into the forest.