Black Bear Facts & Tidbits:
- These bears have better eyesight and hearing than humans. They are most known for their keen sense of smell, which is 7 times greater than a dog’s!
- The diet of these bears is up to 85% vegetation and will vary through the different seasons. Their animal diet consists of bees and other insects, salmon, trout, catfish, deer fawns, and other young.
- Mexico is the only country where the black bear is considered “endangered”
- The “Spirit” bear or Kermode bear found on the central coast of British Columbia are 90% black in colour. 10% of the population have a recessive gene which causes their coats to appear white or cream-coloured.
Prefer to watch and learn more about Black Bears? Check out this Discovery Channel video:
Seasonal Migration Patterns:
Black bears are versatile, and there is frequent translocation throughout the year mostly in response to food and physical conditions of the region. During spring and early summer, they wake up from hibernation and migrate to lowland areas or forest regions that offer fresh herbs and berries. They move to areas with affluence of nuts, fruits, and acorns, especially during late summer and fall, to prepare for winter. Black bears are found in regions where winters are severe. Therefore, they hibernate by residing in dens while the other goes to find food for most of the year, coming shorter distances in search of seasonal food resources.
Top Destinations to Spot Black Bears
For those hoping to observe black bears in the wild, the following locations are top destinations:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA – Known for its thriving black bear population, especially during spring and summer.
- Yellowstone National Park, USA – A hotspot for black bear sightings in diverse habitats, from forests to meadows.
- Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada – Offers excellent opportunities to see black bears in their natural boreal forest habitat.
- Adirondack Mountains, New York, USA – A popular region for black bear encounters in northeastern woodlands.
- Glacier National Park, USA – Black bears are commonly seen in this park’s valleys and mountainous areas, particularly in summer.
Wildlife tours and parks in these regions emphasize bear safety and conservation to protect both bears and visitors.
Interesting Facts About Black Bears’ Habitat
Black bears are part of the most ecologically diverse mammals, which live in forests, wetlands, mountains, and even the desert. Unbelievable as it may sound, they have learned to live in urban and suburban environments, feeding on any available solid food in areas inhabited by humans. Black bears are good climbers and will use trees for safety and rest. In southern states, black bears may be inactive during winter only and may not hibernate. They have also been seen at relatively high latitudes, thereby showing their ability to thrive in any environment in which they find themselves.
