bears in the smoky mountains

Please use them to dispose of garbage. 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. According to a range of knowledgeable sources, the best place to see black bears when visiting the Smoky Mountains is in Cades Cove, a spot just a few miles from Gatlinburg and Townsend, Tennessee.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); They generally like to spend time in remote, highly wooded areas. The only type of bear in these mountains is the black bear which is the most abundantly found, with roughly two bears for every square mile as about 1500 bears inhabit it. Click Here, Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. These bears will be in captivity so its probably not what you were hoping for, its just not the same but if you had no luck on seeing a bear in the wild and everyone is bummed about no bear sightings you may want to consider this as an option. The Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. The park has done many things to make it easier for you to protect bears. 3. The Oconaluftee Center and Cataloochee Valley is an ideal destination to see elks, specifically at dawn and at dusk. Other Threats to Bears The Great Smoky Mountains are rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty. These pervasive intruders feed on the acorns and other foods that are mainstays of bear diets. The Park includes wildlife, waterfalls, highland pastures, fresh mountain streams, high mountains, and extensive forests.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Because of its magnificence and proximity to the surrounding cities, the Park ranks as a top tourist destination in East Tennessee, making it a critical economic resource. Females give birth in late winter and can sire up to six kittens, which they raise for 6-8 months at most. , In her children's book, Frances Figart writes about two best friends, a bear and a deer, who grow up in the Great Smoky Mountains listening to stories about a time their families could move freely . Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. 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 caught by a parker ranger, you will receive a fine of up $6,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Bears who eat human food and their waste live a shorter life. As cute and cuddly as bears may appear, please remember they are wild animals and can be very dangerous when they feel threatened. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. They are timid, nocturnal cats; you most likely wont see them at all during the day. Here are some of the top places to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. He was obviously begging for food, someone must have been dropping him snacks. They are more frequently sighted in the Tennessee region of the Smoky Mountains. Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. Bear Size & Color To prevent any accidents, it is imperative to maintain a distance of at least 50 yards and try to view from afar using binoculars and cameras. They can climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be. Over time, these bears may begin approaching people in search of food and may become more unpredictable and dangerous. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Coyotes can be found in Cades Cove, and they hunt small prey while alone and can chase down larger animals while in packs. For more information please read our privacy policy. Bears can live 12-15 years or more, however bears which have had access to human foods and garbage have a life expectancy of only half that time. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. 7 Best Caves In The Smoky Mountains Youll Want to Explore. Bears, like humans, are omnivores. Yes, there is with the black bears being the majority at approximately 1500. Not only do these bears have a shorter lifespan from eating human food; they are much more likely to be euthanized for attacking humans. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. These cats hunt small deers, rabbits, rodents, and birds as prey.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',178,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Bobcats are solitary animals and prefer to establish their territories and use scents to mark them against prowlers. Bears over 600 pounds have been documented in the park. Bears in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den high above the ground in standing hollow trees. Warning: Bears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. With over 1,500 bears throughout the national park, they are by far one of the most popular animals in the area. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. Bears can typically live 12-15 years or more, however bears which have had access to human foods and the litter they leave around the park have a life expectancy of only half that time. 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! If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. Photo: "Clingmans Dome (AKA Smoky Dome) - Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA" by jody.claborn is marked with CC PDM 1.0. Always keep your car locked, black bears are nifty at gaining access when they want to.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',180,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-180{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}. You can drive around on the loop and possibly see them passing through fields or even see them near the historic buildings or along the creek. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. 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 the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. They also eat lizards, crayfish and fish. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The outdoors might seem like a good place to toss your apple core or crust from a sandwich, but doing so in or around the national park is one of the biggest reasons bears are attracted to areas populated by humans. Wild berries like blackberries, blueberries, and huckleberries grow throughout the valley and are easy to harvest by bears. Now that you know about the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains, keep in mind that bears and all the other wildlife in the park are unpredictable and it is always important to keep safety in mind when wildlife viewing! Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. to any bear in the national park. 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 an 11 mile loop to circle the cove, you will see many other tourists driving through here in the busy season trying to catch a glimpse of black bears and other wildlife. The Smoky Mountains are so called due to the lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and majestic look. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. A Grand View Lodge #540. Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. [NPS]. Bear attacks on humans are very rare. They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. The best season to visit the Great Smokies Park is in the spring and at the onset of summer. The idea is to "make yourself big" and scare the bear away. 4. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! It is illegal to get. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. Dont make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear. 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. In addition, bears that venture outside park boundaries into neighboring communities may encounter human food and become unpredictable, dangerous, and a threat to human safety. Do not run away from black bears as this may trigger a chase response. Males may weigh around 250 lbs in the summertime, but can double their weight in the fall when they are fattening up for winter. An ideal destination to see bears in the park has done many things to make it easier you., nocturnal cats ; you most likely wont see them at all during the day changes its travel direction watches! Habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately bears. 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