A black bear typically has a body length ranging from about 4 to 6.8 feet (1.25 to 2.1 meters). Some sources specify the length as generally between 4 to 6 feet for adults, with other data indicating a range from 5 up to nearly 7 feet including the tail. The standing height of black bears can be around 5'3" to 5'8" upright. This length measurement usually includes the head to the base of the tail, while the tail itself is short, around 3 to 7 inches long depending on the source. This size varies somewhat by sex, with males generally larger than females, and also depending on geographic location and food availability. Adult male black bears can reach lengths on the higher end of these ranges.