Wild apples dot the fields of this historic town and the surrounding woods, providing a valuable food source for several different wildlife species, including bears. Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. As I mentioned above, allowing the bear to eat human food and trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly. While driving along the loop road or stopping to stretch your legs for a short hike, keep your eyes open as you may get to see mother black bears with her cubs walking around! Here are some of the top places to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains. Dens are usually hollow stumps, tree cavities, or wherever there is shelter. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile.Source: @carlosfineartphoto, It is not uncommon to see a black bear during a visit to the Smoky Mountains, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_11',163,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-163{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are incredibly rare and deaths even more so. According to bear.org, black bears hibernate for up to 7.5 months a year. Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains Date: March 28, 2022 Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the park's famous black bear! There are many places because they are literally all over the place. Act together as a group if you have companions. Black bears usually step away when they feel a human presence unless you get too close and give them a hand or if they are scavenging garbage. Do not approach the black bear and dont the bear approach you, Act natural if the bear is at a distance, eating or is walking past you, Dont get too close as this could encourage aggressive behavior, Dont run away from the bear, slowly back away and dont take your eyes off the bear. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. 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. The bear is demanding more space. River otters hunt the small amphibians that live in and along the rivers. They can also teach other bears this dangerous behavior. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. There are lots of chances to catch these beautiful yet wild creatures, but you need to take some safety precautions. Want to get listed and grow your business? You probably dont know this, but not all black bears are black! The parks omnivorous black bears eat about 85% fruits and nuts, with meat providing the remaining 15%, which makes berry patches an extremely important resource as they prepare for hibernation. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife 6 Facts You Should Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. They are not friendly around pets and will not hesitate to kill on sight! It is illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the national park. Over time, these bears may begin approaching people in search of food and may become more unpredictable and dangerous. They also eat lizards, crayfish and fish. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. Food sources like berries and wild apples, access to water, and good denning sites all increase the chances of spotting one of the Smokies bruins on your hike. The mating season is between spring and fall. They seem harmless at first glance, but are some of the most dangerous animals living in the smoky mountains when provoked. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. The adult male river otter also moves around in packs consisting of other males of up to 15 or more. Garbage Kills Bears! The black bear is one of the most popular animals for visitors to spot in Tennessees Smoky Mountains! Black bears will eat berries, nuts, and plants, as well as fish and insects. Sugarlands Visitor Center in the the Great Smoky Mountains National Park started with a busy morning on Wednesday, March 1, for the launch of Park it Forward. Within the national park, it is illegal to approach black bears within 50 yards or 150 feet. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. If you brought it with you, then pack it out! In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. The trail bobs up and down past a few streams before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile 1.2. Everyone wants to see a black bear while they are visiting, and we want to share some interesting things about these beautiful creatures! This is for both your safety and the bears safety! Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. Explore the most visited national park in the country. They strike to bite! Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. Stand your ground if persistently followed. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Weight can range from 200 to 600 pounds. Eastern Cougars are large, brown or gray cats weighing approximately 140 pounds, and stand between 5-8 Ft. tall as adults. See the picture below. The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail, 9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now, The 20 Best Backcountry Lakes to Hike This Summer, Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites, Missing Appalachian Trail Hikers Body Found in Shenandoah, Park Officials Say. Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. You may think black bears in the Smoky Mountains only eat . Although bear attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. The Great Smoky Mountains are rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty. Here are some tips on what to do if you encourage a black bear in the Smoky Mountains: If a black bear follows or approaches you, without vocalizing or paw swatting: Please dont worry if you do see a bear as attacks are very rare, and deaths are incredibly uncommon! Bears have color vision and a keen sense of smell. Fight back with anything you have at your disposal, make loud noises. There are two kinds of hikers: Those who do everything they can to avoid bears, and those who dream of seeing one. If you are a nature lover looking to get a glimpse of the mighty black bear, the best time would be at the crack of dawn or at dusk, when they are the most active. Another great place to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is in the Cades Cove section of the national park. These creatures are pretty stocky, and they pack on the pounds before winter. 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. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Therefore, your odds are pretty good if you plan to spend any significant amount of time in the park! Feeding the bears teaches them to forage for food from and around humans. Are Mountain Monsters Real: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains. Check the "Bear Closures" and "Bear Warnings" section of the Temporary Closures page before planning a hike in the park. Feeding bears is illegal in the Smoky Mountains.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Also Read: How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. Bear Safety: Rule #1 Keep your distance. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Check out these 5 facts you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. You may be thinking then why is the NBA team in Memphis, Tennessee called the Memphis Grizzlies? This team was originally in Vancouver, Canada and apparently on Vancouver Island there have been instances of grizzly bear sightings. Urban Encroachment: Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears. It is estimated that about 1,500 black bears live in the national park. 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. Coyotes grow to about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. Non-Native Species: The European wild hog is one of the most direct threats to the black bear. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. If the bear is at a distance, feeding or walking by, and notices you but continues its natural behavior, no action is needed on your part. Another non-native species, the gypsy moth, is expanding its range toward the park. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to the densest population of black bears in the United States. At some campsites, telephone poles were flown into remote backcountry areas because the trees around the campsites were too small to set up an effective cable system! 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