Black bears are among the largest mammal species that can be found here in North Carolina. Black bears live in all regions of our state, including the mountains, foothills, piedmont, and our coast. Some of the largest black bears in the entire United States can be found in central and eastern North Carolina. The world record for largest black bear was given to a male from Craven county, North Carolina, who was 880 pounds!
Black bears are often misunderstood. Some people fear them, while others might not understand how to protect them. In this blog post, we will learn about black bears, and talk about how we can help them stay safe in the wild. The more you know about black bears, the more you will see what incredible and gentle creatures they are, and why you shouldn't fear them!
Facts about black bears:
Black bears can range in size from 100-600 pounds and typically have thick black, dark brown, or cinnamon fur. Black bears have large teeth and claws, and are expert hunters and climbers. A black bear can run up to 35 mph on average, and can climb a tree 100 feet in just 30 seconds!
While they are expert hunters, black bears prefer to forage for their food. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plants. Black bears love nuts, berries, grasses and seeds, and small mammals. They even eat carrion (dead animals). A black bear's sense of smell is seven times greater than a Bloodhound! They can smell up to one mile away- how amazing!
Black bears are most active in the summertime, and once fall rolls around they spend their time preparing for the cold winter. Black bears do their best to eat as much food as possible to prepare for the winter when they are most likely to be staying dormant in a hollowed out tree or cozy den somewhere. Black bears will consume up to 20,000 calories a day in the fall in order to prepare for their dormant season in the winter. That is equal to eating forty big macs a day!
Why do people misunderstand black bears?
Do you know how many people on average are killed by black bears every year? It is less than one! Surprising, right?!
It’s true that black bears are big and strong, but they are usually not dangerous to people. In fact, black bears are often shy and try to avoid people when they can. Most of the time, if a bear sees you, it will run away. Bears only become dangerous if they feel threatened or cornered, so it’s important to give them plenty of space. If you see a bear, back away slowly. Never run or approach a black bear. If you find yourself in a situation with a black bear, make lots of noise, clap your hands, and stay calm.
When black bears come in contact with humans it is most likely because they are looking for food and have gotten some from a human before. Once a black bear sees humans as a food source, they are more likely to approach us. This is the main reason that black bears end up in some pretty dangerous situations- like on a busy street in downtown Asheville. Help keep black bears safe and wild by never feeding them or letting food or trash be left outside where a bear can find it.
Ways to help black bears
- Don't feed bears or leave food and trash outside.
- Bring bird feeders inside at night.
- Don't leave trash on the trails while hiking.
- Tell people how special black bears are! Now that you're a bear expert, you can tell others how to help bears.
