Haida Gwaii black bear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haida Gwaii black bear |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Ursidae |
| Genus: | Ursus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
U. a. carlottae
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| Trinomial name | |
| Ursus americanus carlottae Osgood, 1901
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The Haida Gwaii black bear (Ursus americanus carlottae) is a special type of American black bear. It's also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands black bear. This bear is a "subspecies," which means it's a unique group within the main American black bear species.
What makes this bear different? It's usually much bigger than other black bears. It also has a very large skull (head bone) and big molars (back teeth). These features help scientists tell it apart.
This subspecies lives only in one place: the Haida Gwaii islands. These islands are off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Because they live only there, they are called "endemic" to Haida Gwaii.
The Haida Gwaii black bear is very important to its home. It's known as a "keystone species." This means it plays a crucial role in keeping the island's ecosystem healthy.
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About the Haida Gwaii Black Bear
The Haida Gwaii black bear is a fascinating animal. It's a unique branch of the well-known American black bear family. Scientists gave it the name Ursus americanus carlottae. This name helps them identify it specifically.
Being a subspecies means it shares many traits with other black bears. However, it also has its own special characteristics. These differences have developed over a long time.
What Makes Them Special?
Haida Gwaii black bears stand out because of their size. They are often larger than other black bears found elsewhere. Imagine a really big black bear; that's probably a Haida Gwaii bear!
Their heads are also quite distinctive. They have a very large and strong skull. This big skull holds powerful jaws. These jaws are perfect for chewing many different kinds of food.
Another unique feature is their molars. These are the flat teeth at the back of their mouths. Haida Gwaii black bears have unusually large molars. These big teeth are great for grinding food.
Where Do They Live?
These special bears live only on the Haida Gwaii islands. These islands are a beautiful group of islands. They are located on the Pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada.
The islands are full of lush forests and rich rivers. This environment provides everything the bears need. They find plenty of food and safe places to live there.
Because they live only on these islands, they are called "endemic." This means you won't find them naturally anywhere else in the world. It makes them very special and important to protect.
Why Are They Important?
The Haida Gwaii black bear is a "keystone species." This term means they are super important for their environment. Without them, the ecosystem might change a lot or even struggle.
How do they help? These bears eat a lot of salmon. When salmon swim up rivers to lay eggs, bears catch them. The bears often carry parts of the salmon into the nearby forests.
As the salmon remains break down, they add nutrients to the soil. This helps the trees and plants grow strong. So, the bears help feed the forest! They connect the ocean's health to the land's health.
This connection shows how important every animal can be. The Haida Gwaii black bear helps keep its island home healthy and balanced. Protecting these bears means protecting the whole island ecosystem.
See also
In Spanish: Oso negro Haida Gwaii para niños
