The Black Bear

  • Muscles
  • Skeleton
  • Circulatory System
  • Organs

BLACK BEAR SKULLS

Black bear skulls are typically massive; much bigger than those of most North American wildlife. It is quite long and wide across the forehead, but narrower in the muzzle area. The eyebrow ridge is well-defined and the nostrils are quite broad. The jawbone hinge is large to accommodate the heavy jaw muscles. A female skull may be narrower and more pointed than that of a mature male. An average measurement is 11.5 inches in length and 6.5 to 7 inches in width. The longest black bear skull recorded with the Boone and Crockett system was 14.75 inches and the widest black bear skull was 8.875 inches.