Black bears in this region are normally black with a brown muzzle and an occasional white blaze on the chest. Average body weights are 150 to 350 pounds for adult males and 120 to 250 for adult females.

Body lengths range from 3 to 6 feet from nose to their short tail. Size typically varies depending on the quality and quantity of available food.

The largest Louisiana black bear weight taken in recent years was a 540 lbs male from the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).