Black Bears are not necessarily black, just as Grizzly bears (aka Brown Bears) are not always brown. Color is not a good way to differentiate a black bear from a grizzly. It’s best to watch for the hump and the claws. Grizzly bears have a hump between their shoulder blades and long claws – however you don’t always see the claws and the hump may not be obvious. Ears are another good indication – Black Bears tend to have bigger more obvious ears.