What part of Arizona has bears?
Black bears may roam higher elevations within the Tonto National Forest. The black bear is the only bear species still found in Arizona. It is the smallest and most widely distributed North American bear.
The most widespread species is the brown bear, which occurs from Western Europe eastwards through Asia to the western areas of North America. Polar bears are restricted to the area of the Arctic Ocean and the American black bear is found only in North America.
Across Sycamore Wilderness, visitors will have a chance to spot everything from mountain lions and ringtail cats to black bears, javelina, canyon wrens, and hermit thrushes too.
- Rattlesnakes.
- Black widows.
- Bark Scorpions.
- Giant desert centipede.
- Gila monsters.
- Black bears.
- Mountain lions.
Mountain lions can be found throughout Arizona and are most common in rocky or mountainous terrain. Because mountain lions are shy and elusive, people do not often see them.
Somewhere among the rocky pinnacles of southern Arizona's Chiricahua mountains roams the last known jaguar in the US. The dark-spotted big cat, a male known as “Sombra” to wildlife researchers, wanders between three mountain ranges, hunting for deer and piglike javelinas and, perhaps, searching for a mate.
The Coconino National Forest is home to a delightful variety of wildlife, including horned toads, elk, coyotes, bald eagles, pronghorn, prairie dogs, blue herons... and black bears and mountain lions.
While you're out on the hundreds of trails in and around Flagstaff, don't be surprised if you encounter elk, mule deer or coyotes. When hiking in the backcountry, you might be lucky enough to spot a porcupine, badger, pronghorn, black bear or mountain lion.
According to the National Park Service, Alaska has had the most fatal bear attacks in the USA since 1900.
Alaska: 100,000
Alaska is bear country and one of the few places in the world where all three species of North American bears live. With 100,000 black bears, Alaska has one of the largest black bear populations in the country.
What part of the day are bears most active?
Bears have color vision and a keen sense of smell. In addition, they are good tree climbers, can swim very well, and can run 30 miles per hour. Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer.
While you're out on the hundreds of trails in and around Flagstaff, don't be surprised if you encounter elk, mule deer or coyotes. When hiking in the backcountry, you might be lucky enough to spot a porcupine, badger, pronghorn, black bear or mountain lion.
Black Bear Habitat and Territory
Frequent sightings occur in the Arizona White Mountains region, along the Mogollon Rim areas of Payson and even close to Phoenix in the Four Peaks area. During periods of drought, black bears will move long distances to find pockets of food.
Bear and mountain lion sightings are usually seen in Tucson around May and June due to the heat and drought conditions.