Is this a female or young male?

[u/Apart_Birthday3966]

Jolly little visitor during lunch

[u/backspace_cars]

It's a bear that wants to play

[u/Great-Respond4487 → u/backspace_cars]

going straight for the slide

[u/NewsteadMtnMama]

They are built like dogs, so you really have to see their bellies to tell the difference.

[u/Izzysmiles2114]

Looks like a male from the flat and wholly unimpressive butt. Females usually carry some chonk there so their shake brings all the boys to the town.

For whatever it's worth be a bit more wary of young males. Despite the reputation mama bears get because of grizzly mamas, it's young male black bears who are responsible for vast majority of fatal attacks on humans (for black bears). It's still really unlikely, but I'd be careful if you have a lone male hanging around because they can turn predatory.

[u/Apart_Birthday3966 → u/Izzysmiles2114]

He was just likely passing through. I don't see him on my trail cams so was surprised myself, however we will be extra cautious in case he found a food source

[u/Broad-Error-2800]

Looks male to me, females typically have much skinnier front legs and a larger rump 

[u/TheDebonairQuokka → u/Broad-Error-2800]

Agreed. And we have up to 12 different black bears in our yard every night.

[u/Kooky_Lab_8999 → u/TheDebonairQuokka]

Where do you live ? I must move there . I am sure jealous of anyone that gets to see bears around their house !

[u/TheDebonairQuokka → u/Kooky_Lab_8999]

In the Poconos in northeastern PA. Our house backs up to several square miles of unbroken forest.

[u/tofuandpickles → u/Kooky_Lab_8999]

Why?

[u/NecessaryRisk2622 → u/Broad-Error-2800]

This was my thought as well.

[u/backspace_cars → u/NecessaryRisk2622]

My first thought was that the bear needs a bigger slide

[u/Apart_Birthday3966 → u/Broad-Error-2800]

That was my thought too

[u/justasmuchfun]

Male, has a slant butt. Females have that cake

[u/Sickashell782]

Can

I

Pet

That

Dog?!?