Black bears are omnivores that eat some animal protein (insects, fish and winter-killed wildlife). More than 80% of their diet is vegetation: grasses, dandelions, berries, nuts and fruits.
Before hibernating, a black bear will eat constantly to put on weight, consuming 20,000 calories a day (10 times more than an adult human). This is about 20kg of high-protein food or 40kg of plant food.
In the summer bears eat about 5,000 calories a day.
Look at the foods that a black bear eats (see materials), and unnatural foods that they should not eat (human fast food).
Add bear food to a scale until there is enough for one black bear 'meal' (5kg). Compare with a person’s lunch (e.g. bagel and cheese)
Look at a bear skull or picture to see the kinds of teeth they have. Black bears are omnivores, eating mostly plants and berries, as well as salmon and carrion meat. Their teeth are also used for defence.
Black bear eating berries, using their flexible lips and tongues to pick them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV064dOMEQQ
Grizzly bears catching salmon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSSPDwAQLXs
