Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. Once they spot a catch, they grab it and roll over on their backs to eat while still in the water. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but its important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. Want to get listed and grow your business? With approximately 1,500 bears in the park, the population density is roughly two bears per square mile! Bear Safety: Rule #1 Keep your distance. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. Mating usually takes place in July. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. 1. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. The biggest salamander can grow to more than two feet long. Bears who lack fear of humans have shorter life spans and become easy targets for poachers. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. Mule Deer Vs. Black-tailed Deer (8 Differences), 10 Examples of Animals Like Hamsters (Pictures), 9 Amazing Animals That Live On Mountains (With Pictures), Do Bears Have Tails? Take care of your own safety: Consider carrying bear spray, make noise when passing around blind corners or through thick brush, and observe from a distance. The bear is demanding more space. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. You may think black bears only eat meat, but they are actually omnivores! Dense green forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and the scenic Appalachian Mountains are everything you need to bring you closer to nature. When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, be sure to use the provided bear-proof dumpsters and garbage cans. Non-Native Species: The European wild hog is one of the most direct threats to the black bear. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Keeping your distance prevents the bears from becoming disturbed, and keeps you and the bears safe. Male black bears can weigh about 250 pounds on average, while a female black bear weighs about 100 pounds. Take care of your own safety: Consider carrying bear spray, make noise when passing around blind corners or through thick brush, and observe from a distance. You are more likely to see them during the early morning or the late afternoon when they forage for food. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. The best time to see elks is at dawn or dusk, after a long night of rest and bright and early when they roam about looking for fresh wet pastures in the fords. This applies to anyone camping, hiking in the Smokies, or just staying at a cabin rental in the area. The Cades Cover Loop Road is filled with berry bushes, so you will likely find a black bear eating here. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. You can learn more about hibernation here. Carry bear spray in a wearable holster so you can easily access it if needed Females with newly born cubs usually emerge from their winter dens in late March or early April. Want to know about other wildlife you might see while youre here? If you brought it with you, then pack it out! Keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed. While seeing these creatures is never guaranteed, there are places where you are more likely to see them. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. Everyone wants to see a black bear while they are visiting, and we want to share some interesting things about these beautiful creatures! Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. You may also have the opportunity to spot white-tailed deer . The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. While it is rare, if the bear makes contact with you - fight back. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. In 2020, WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking humans. Act together as a group if you have companions. There is an average of 1,500 black bears, which is about 2 bears every square mile. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems. Want to get listed and grow your business? However, in the fall, their weight almost doubles. The Oconaluftee Center and Cataloochee Valley is an ideal destination to see elks, specifically at dawn and at dusk. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting: If the bear's behavior indicates that it is after your food and you are physically attacked: If the bear shows no interest in your food and you are physically attacked, the bear may consider you as prey: Help protect others, report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Another place to see a bear is Ober Gatlinburg. One of the most important things to remember if you are lucky enough spot a bear is to keep a safe distance of at least 150 feet (50 yards) and do not approach. During summer months, some of the busiest picnic areas close at 8:00 PM so these areas can be thoroughly cleaned before dark and any food scraps or trash left by careless visitors can be removed. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. Bears are like humans, they are omnivores. There are hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; stay on them and be aware of your surroundings. More Bearpacker: In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. You may think black bears in the Smoky Mountains only eat . Coyotes can be found in Cades Cove, and they hunt small prey while alone and can chase down larger animals while in packs. They grow up to 36 inches in length and have a copious body.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0'); Generally, copperheads live on rocky, woody hillsides; they like to hide under leaf litter or large moist rocks in the Smoky Mountains. About 85 percent of their diet is berries, plants, and nuts. Bears do not truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep. These bears pose a risk to public safety. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. On colder days, bears will wake up and wander away for a little bit before heading back to their den to sleep.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-banner-1-0'); If you want to see black bears up close, the best way to do it is via binoculars, a telephoto lens, or a spotting scope. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. Click Here, 6 Facts You Should Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Males may weigh around 250 lbs in the summertime, but can double their weight in the fall when they are fattening up for winter. About 85% of their diet is from plants, though. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. Feeding the bears teaches them to forage for food from and around humans. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the bears. you are too close. When it comes to dealing with bears in the Smokies, common sense is key. Also Read: Best Time to Visit Smoky Mountains. They also eat lizards, crayfish and fish. I would say any time in May through September will be your best bet, I saw a young male recently in July. So, when you visit this amazing Park, keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance. These Appalachian Mountains not only offer us a view of the picturesque beauty of nature but also let us experience its thrill by capturing the animals in the wild; in their natural habitat. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. With over 1,500 bears throughout the national park, they are by far one of the most popular animals in the area. How visitors behave while in the park has an impact on the safety of bears. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Drove up to a cabin in Gatlinburg TN, Smoky Mountains Park with Sean from YouTube @WeReviewU to see a surprise#gatlinburg #smokymountains #bears Thank you so. Don't discharge a firearm; this can cause a safety hazardfor other visitors. A Grand View Lodge #540. , Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. Some are pretty friendly; others prefer to stay out of sight, while others are dangerous and can pose a threat if not treated with proper respect. 250 pounds. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. The mating season is between spring and fall. Food can be kept inside the cabin, just as long as the windows and doors are kept closed. The loop road is not only a great place to spot bears in the Smoky Moutains, but its also famous for fantastic hiking trails, historical structures, rushing streams and majestic waterfalls! The park's Resource Education staff provides information about bears at visitor centers, in the park's newspaper, and at evening programs. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Bears unafraid to approach humans teach this behavior to other bears and become a threat to the public, which often leads to euthanasia. Giant bears weigh up to 600pounds and are not easy to find, while the Females weigh around 100 pounds, and the males weigh at approx. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. Here is everything you need to know about black bears in the Smoky Mountain, what they look like and how to keep safe should you ever encounter one in the wild.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4-0'); The most commonly found bear in the Smoky Mountains is the black bear. If the bear comes toward you, do not run, instead, scream continuously, and throw rocks to scare it away.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-banner-1-0'); The black mountain bears hibernate during winter, so its hard to find any around this time. Its common knowledge that black bears can be seen all over Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains National Park, we were excited to see one right out in the creek outside of our hotel room. More black bears live within the national park than anywhere else in the country. Absolutely not. Over time, these bears may begin approaching people in search of food and may become more unpredictable and dangerous. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. You can find white-tailed deers in Cades Cove and Cataloochee or when hiking on the forest trails. The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. You can also find animals roaming in the Park around the Cades Cove at dusk the best time to view wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Smoky Mountain area is one of the few places in the United States where wild black bears can be found living in their natural habitat. 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