To extrapolate on UT's info:
"In eastern North America, the Black Bear is almost completely black and in the West it can range from black to a shiny golden cinnamon, with a white blaze on its chest. Although normally black, it is quite common to see brown, gray, or pale beige bears. In the northwestern region there are even individuals that are almost white."
From
here
Which leads me to ask the question, "Why call them 'black' bears, then?"
