LEARN ABOUT BLACK BEARS

compiled by Wildlife Educators Kathy Sherrard and Anne Allison

wildscove@hughes.net

 

Be Bear Aware!

Once we learn more about bears, we can see they really are not bad and scary after all. We can replace our fear with respect. Let's practice respect for bears by learning the Bear Aware Pledge.

bulletBe alert and careful in bear country.
bulletEducate yourself about bear behavior and habitat.
bulletBack away slowly from bears.
bulletEdibles and "smellables" must be kept from bears. Advertise your presence by making noise.
bulletRespect the bear's power, strength & mind.
bulletAvoid scaring the bear.
bulletWatch for clues the bear is stressed.
bulletAcquaint yourself with bear sign.
bulletRemember never to feed or approach bears.
bulletEnjoy watching and learning about bears.
bulletLet's all Be Bear Aware so we can coexist peacefully!

Facts About American Black Bears

1. Where they are found: American black bears are found throughout Canada and in forested areas of the United States.

2. Size: Adults range from 4 to 6 feet in length, are approximately 2.5 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder, and can weigh 100 to 600 pounds. Weight varies with the seasons.

3. Color: Not all American black bears are black in color. Variations include brown, cinnamon (reddish-brown), blonde, white, and blue-gray. Some individuals have white V-shaped chest patches. Black coats are found in moist areas. In the Rocky Mountains, only about 50% are black.

4. Paws: American black bears have flat feet with 5 toes. Their short, thick, sharp claws are non-retractable and are used for digging, climbing, and handling foods.

5. Senses: The vision of an American black bear is reasonably good. although they are somewhat nearsighted. Their hearing is far more sensitive than ours. The sense of smell is a bear's most important sense; it is keener than that of any other animal.

6. Food: Although classified as carnivores, bears eat far more vegetation than meat. Diet varies with the seasons and the availability of foliage, roots, berries, seeds, and nuts. Insects and carrion are the main sources of meat. Bears spend a high percentage of their time foraging, and may travel many miles seeking food.

7. Sounds: While a bear is usually silent, it can vocalize in many ways to communicate with other bears. Sounds include chomp, cough, huff, woof, moan, bawl, snort, and yawn, as well as an occasional growl.

8. Hibernation: In winter, when food is not available, bears enter a state of dormancy. Their body temperature drops only a few degrees, and they may awaken and move around outside the den during a warm period. They will not eat, drink, defecate, or urinate during hibernation, which can last up to 6 months in the northern part of the country.

9. Locomotion: American black bears can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour, although this speed is maintained only for short distances. They are good swimmers, and excellent climbers.

10. Aggression: Black bears are seldom aggressive, unless threatened.

Body Language of Bears

Bear standing on hind legs sniffing the air: "Gotta get a better smell of whatever that is. " Not an aggressive behavior.

Bear standing on hind legs, moving head from side to side: "Hang on, it's a really faint scent, I need a better whiff. Rotting carcass? No, ripe garbage!!"

Moving its head to make a breeze to pick up more scent particles out of the air. Nose up, ears forward, standing on all four paws or standing up on hind legs: "I have to figure out what that is. It might be good to eat. OR it could be dangerous. "

Again, nosing around to get a better sense of the unknown scent. Head down, ears laid back, body low to the ground or rearing up on hind legs. May turn sideways to appear larger: "Don't make me do something we 'II both regret. " Ears laid back ...just as with horses and dogs... means the bear is nervous, afraid or feels threatened, and may bluff charge (run at you, then stop suddenly) to warn you to back off.

Rearing up on hind legs with ears laid back, jaw and mouth wide open to display teethe moaning, woofing or clacking teeth: "How many times do I have to tell you to get lost? Maybe if I run at you and bluff an attack, you 'II get the message!" May bluff charge as many as 4-5 times then back off if there is no aggressive move on your part.

Ears forward, openly approaching, silent and confident: "Just taking care of business. Better stay out of the way. " Bears generally travel in a straight line. It's up to you to move out of their way.

What Is The Bear Saying?

Did you know by watching and listening to bears we can tell what they are "saying". They don't use words like we do. Instead, bears use sounds and body movements (postures) to communicate. Let's learn some ways that bears communicate by sound and posture:

HUFFING: Bears make this sound with their mouth. It's like a series of quick blowing noises which means they are nervous. Sometimes a mother bear will use this sound to get her cubs to pay attention in case of danger. Then she sends them up a tree.

SNAPPING JAW AND CHOMPING OF TEETH: Bears will chomp their teeth when they are annoyed or tense.

GRUNTING: Mother bears will deliver a series of these throaty sounds when she wants her cubs to follow or come down a tree. 

WOOF: A sudden sharp blowing sound when a bear is startled.

BAWLING: This sounds like a moan or whine and bears often bawl when they are chased up a tree and are very scared. Distressed cubs will bawl when they can't find their mothers. 

STANDING UPRIGHT: This posture means the bear is curious and wants to get a better look or better sniff of what is around him.

YAWNING: When a bear yawns, he may not be tired but, instead, he may be getting a little tense. Be careful!!

IF YOU MEET A BEAR ON THE TRAIL

bulletStop. Talk to the bear in a normal, calm voice. There is NO evidence that bears understand English so anything gentle and calmly said will work. If in a group, appoint one person before leaving as the "spokesperson".. .too much babbling may sound contentious to a bear.
bulletDon't approach any closer and don't whip out your camera and start taking photos.
bulletDon't make any sudden, abrupt movements.
bulletDon't offer the bear any food.
bulletAvoid direct eye contact. Bears and many other animals may view this as hostile or aggressive behavior.
bulletDon't run. Running triggers a chase response in many animals. Bears can sprint at speeds of up to 35 mph. even uphill.
bulletDon't climb a tree. Bears are expert tree climbers.

IF A BLACK BEAR STANDS UP OR CHARGES....

bulletDon't run or be aggressive.
bulletWave your arms, extend your backpack over your head to increase your size.
bulletDon't turn your back on the bear.
bulletWalk slowly backward, talking in a firm monotone.
bulletIf bear spray is handy, now is a good time to use it.
bulletDo not throw your pack at the bear. Throwing rocks and sticks or banging wooden or metal hiking sticks together has been known to discourage a charging bear. Charging is a bluffing behavior. Usually the noise and your firm refusal to run will discourage the bear from further attempts to scare you off.

KEEP IN MIND.....

Black bears are normally shy and reclusive: they naturally avoid people.

Statistically speaking, you have a better chance of winning the lottery than being killed by a black bear!!!

Bear Word Search

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Find These Words:

Insects Berries Cubs
Hibernate Swim White
Brown Black Play
Tree Den Clover
Acorns Cinnamon Honey

Scrambled Words  

WSO

 Mama Bear
RABO Papa Bear
BCU Baby Bear
TABEENHIR What bears do in winter
SORNAC One of their favorite foods  
LCABK Most American black bears are this color
WBNOR Some American black bears are this color
HETIW A few American black bears are this color  
TWENIR This time of year when cubs are born
BRUGS Bears dig for these. They often find them in or under logs
TONUS A bear's nose
WISM How a bear crosses a lake

 Bear Crossword Puzzle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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