The American black bear (Ursus Americanus) is a medium-sized bear endemic to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species. American black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They are skillful climbers and can run up to 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour). The heaviest black bear recorded was harvested in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1972 which weighed nearly 1100 lbs while the largest skull recorded was found by a hunter in Utah, USA, which measured 23 5/8".