Featured Articles

Vegetation - the Dietary Mainstay

Vegetation is the primary bear food in northeastern Minnesota when all seasons are considered.  In April, flower parts of aspen, willow, maple, ash, ...  Read More

Berries - a Critical Food

Berries are important foods throughout the black bear range.  The most commonly eaten berries in northeastern Minnesota are sarsaparilla berri...  Read More

Ant Brood - an Important Food

Ant specialists refer to ant larvae and pupae as "brood."  These digestible clumps of fat and protein are the main source of animal ...  Read More

Hazelnuts - a Favorite Food

Hazelnuts are one of the most important and preferred bear foods in northeastern Minnesota.  Across North America, availability of hard mast (...  Read More

Animal Protein

Insects and animal matter are less than 10% of the annual black bear diet around Ely and across most of North America. Across America, except...  Read More

Forest Tent Caterpillars

In outbreak years, caterpillars usually hatch in May, defoliate huge areas, and pupate 5-6 weeks later in June or early July.  As the caterpil...  Read More

What do bears like to eat in a beehive?

Although bears prefer immature bees, they also will honey, depending upon the alternatives. Honey is mostly sugar with an average composition of ...  Read More

Effects of Food on Survival

Effects of food on cub growth and survival: Starvation is the main cause of death for black bear cubs around Ely. By fall, cubs can weigh 15 to 162 p...  Read More

Adaptations for Obtaining Food

A keen sense of smell Strong curved claws for climbing trees and ripping logs Strength for turning over rocks and logs to get colonial insects ...  Read More

Limitations

Predation:  The stocky body that gives black bears strength and minimizes heat loss makes them a poor predator.  The stocky, insulated bod...  Read More

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New Items in the Gift Shop

Ladies "Text Appeal" Fitted Tee

This comfy 100% cotton jersey summertime pink tee has a "Text Appeal" bear applique on the front and is form fitted for extra comfort. Machine wash & dry. Look for the matching PJ pants also. Available in sizes S thru 2X only. 

Ladies "Text Appeal" Pajama Pants

These colorful, comfy and cute PJ pants are great for a lazy summer day. They have an overall "Text Appeal" print and a drawstring + elastic waist. Look for the matching pink "Text Appeal" Tee in our store also. Available in sizes S thru 2X only. 

Stamp Set: North American Animals

Wild Republic makes this 6 piece EVA stamp set with ink pad. They're a fun way to entertain the kids on a rainy day!  (The ink is non-toxic and washable).

Igloo Polar Bear Plush

This absolutely adorable soft plush set includes a 7" diameter iglooo with a pretty blue interior and a cute little removable 6" long polar bear cub. What a cute gift this would be! Made by Wild Republic.

"Honey" Bush Jr. Plush

The beautiful cinnamon brown colored fur and gorgeous beige muzzle on this plush bear looks a lot like the NABC's resident female bear, "Honey". About 5% of Minnesota's black bears are brown or cinnamon colored. This plush version of "Honey" is 8" tall and 11" long. 

Life Science 20 Piece Microscope Set

Watch and explore the basics of science with this microscope set. It offers a series of fun, high-tech experiments for children with 300X magnification. Recommended for ages 8+ years.

Cookie Cutter Set--North American Animals

This "Mountain Lake" Gift Set from Ann Clark Ltd. (the cookie cutter people from Vermont) has 5 tin cookie cutters & recipes for cookies and frosting. Included are: moose, bear, tree, fish, duck/loon. It comes gift boxed---box size 12.75" x 6.5" x1". It would make a fun & useful gift for any cookie baker!

"Lucky" Jigsaw Puzzle - 160 pieces

This custom made jigsaw puzzle is a picture of "Lucky" taken when he was just a cub in 2007. He lives in the 2.5 acre naturally wooded bear enclosure at the North American Bear Center in Ely, Mn. Finished size is 10.5" x 16". 160 pieces

Mini Tiger Eye Necklace

Storr's Medicine Stone Collection includes this lovely mini-tiger eye bear necklace. Each piece of tiger eye stone is very unique, so each pendant is slightly different. The pendant measures 1.375" wide and 1.5" long and the nylon cord measures approx. 36" long.  Made in Canada

Raspberry Embroidered Ladies Tank Top "Lets Talk Bears"

The words "Lets Talk Bears", Ely, MN, a bear & bear paw are embroidered on the front of this attractive ladies raspberry 100% cotton V-neck tank top. Machine wash & tumble dry. Available in sizes S thru 2X only.

Coral Embroidered Ladies Tank Top "Lets Talk Bears"

The words "Lets Talk Bears", Ely, MN, a bear & bear paw are embroidered on the front of this attractive ladies coral 100% cotton V-neck tank top. Machine wash & tumble dry. Available in sizes S thru 2X only.

Nature Smart Book

"Nature Smart" (Midwest & Eastern version)  is a comprehensive family guide loaded with lots of "gee-whiz" facts, along with accurate technical information presented in a user-friendly format. Includes a question and answer format and illustrations of more than 170 species of bugs, mammals and plants. It is like having several field guides in one handy, compact form. Written by Stan Tekiela & Karen Shanberg. 

"Ted" Sitting Bear Plush

This delightful plush black bear reminds us of "Ted", one of the resident bears at the North American Bear Center. Ted often curves his head to one side to see what's going on in the bear enclosure, just like this handsome plush bear does! This plush version of "Ted" is 8.5" tall and 13" long.

Bear Yoga Adult Unisex T-Shirt

Three bears are pictured doing "Bear Yoga" on the front of this military green Gildan Ultra Preshrunk Cotton T-Shirt. NABC's website, bear.org, is printed on the left sleeve. Machine wash, tumble dry. Available in unisex sizes S thru 2X only.

Glacier Bears Necklace

This attractive "Glacier Bears" necklace is part of Storr's Medicine Stone Collection. The natural variation in color and design of the abalone shell make each piece distinctively different. The black nylon cord measures approx. 36" long and the pendant portion measures 2.5" long and 1.25" wide. Made in Canada.

Youth "Lucky" Sublimation T-Shirt

These very colorful "burn-out" sublimation youth sized t-shirts feature the NABC's youngest resident bear, Lucky. They are uniquely styled to have narrow white lines where the creases are in the fabric. You don't see the "lines" until the shirt is worn and the fabric is stretched. Sublimation means the picture is printed all the way around the shirt. The kids will love 'em. 100% polyester. Machine wash cold, hang to dry. Available in youth sizes XS thru L only. (XS=2-4, S=6-8, M=10-12, L=14-16.)

Cub Jewel Print

8" x 10" photograph by Lynn and Donna Rogers is matted to 12"X14" in size. Printed on Epson Ultra Premium Luster Photo Paper with long-lasting Epson Ultrachrome Ink. Matted and shrink-wrapped with archival, acid free materials.

Early in his research career, Lynn Rogers carried a camera to augment his field notes. Photography became a hobby that involved his whole family. Lynn and Donna Rogers have given the North American Bear Center free and exclusive rights to sell pictures from their award-winning photographic collection. Many of the pictures have appeared in National Geographic, National Wildlife, and other publications around the world.

All proceeds go to the North American Bear Center.

Fleece Throw: 2 Cubs "Simple Joys"

"Simple Joys" is the name of this Bergsma Gallery Press Bearcubs Fleece Blanket Throw. It is made from 100% Non-Pilling Polyester and measures 48" x 60". Machine wash warm & tumble dry.

Education Building

NABC Membership

Members receive a 10% discount on purchases in the NABC Gift Shop / Web Store

Click here to choose a membership level.

Attention Teachers

Did you use the Lily Den Cam in your classes last year?  If so, please fill out this short questionnaire so we better understand how you used it.  Your answers will help us plan the educational outreach program, as well this coming year's den cams.

NABC Webcam

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Click to watch live video
from Ely, Minnesota

Winter 2009 Newsletter

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