Black in color, they are around six feet tall and three feet high at the shoulder. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. It has some of the best hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing you'll find in the U.S. We're sharing the inside scoop with you so you can plan your next trip to the Smokies. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. Bears attacks are usually caused by food, as they can get very hungry and desperate for food. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. At a safe distance of at least 150 feet this is a good opportunity to enjoy the sight before quietly moving away. When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, be sure to use the provided bear-proof dumpsters and garbage cans. Please watch this short video. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. During this time, they double in weight to protect themselves from the cold. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. 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? These creatures can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder. They also feast on dead animals and prey on deer. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the USA where black bears live in the wild in their natural habit. This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. Keep this fact in mind when planning your hikes and activities. They can live at any elevation in the park, so you could see them near cabins in the woods or as you hike to the summit of Mt. Please use them to dispose of garbage. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear. This could distract the animal and give you time to make a clean get away. Want to get listed and grow your business? While this might seem obvious, a visit to Cades Cove or the Cherokee Orchard area will quickly prove that our visitors are guilty of this countless times every year. 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 red and gray fox are found near Cades Cove in Smokies Park.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Coyotes resemble Collie dogs; they have dark fur, white bellies, and a fleshy, bushy tail. They also tend to sleep for lengthy periods, although not hibernating in the true sense, as they may come out of their dens on warmer days. Source: @carlosfineartphoto They are not friendly around pets and will not hesitate to kill on sight! If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) 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. Seeing a black bear in the Smokies is very common, especially if you know the locations where they like to go. Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. Hikers should double bag their food in their backpack. Bears are like humans, they are omnivores. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. I think if you are sensible about bear encounters, keep your distance, and follow the guidelines in the link above, it is not something you would ever have to seriously worry about. If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. If one is spotted "running toward you, making loud noises, or. Black bears will eat berries, nuts, and plants, as well as fish and insects. Use the food storage cables to store your food and garbage when camping. It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. The mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of sight, but they are dangerous. One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. Dispose of all food scraps or garbage in bear proof garbage containers or take it home with you. You may think black bears in the Smoky Mountains only eat . It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. 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}. 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. More black bears live within the national park than anywhere else in the country. These bears pose a risk to public safety. You may think black bears only eat meat, but they are actually omnivores! As a precaution, you can also carry bear pepper spray for your protection, but be sure not to mishandle it. 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. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. This area is usually perfect for wildlife viewing because it is a wide valley surrounded by mountains, and Cades Cove bears are often sighted in the open valley. Absolutely not. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but its important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. This incredible park is bursting with wildlife, plant life, and exciting adventures to be experienced. If youre one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. The mating season is between spring and fall. Bears should also be treated with caution and respect. The black bear is one of the most popular animals for visitors to spot in Tennessees Smoky Mountains! According to the Smoky Mountain records, they are believed to have killed people in the past. 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. Coyotes are somewhat timid and afraid of humans at first glance, but can be dangerous if you cozy up to them. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. They provide spectacular views from waterfalls to lush forests and a way to look closely into the wilderness. 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. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are very rare. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a beautiful 5.5 mile one-way loop road that starts and ends in Gatlinburg, making it convenient for those who want to make a quick side trip from downtown Gatlinburg! See winners from every year of the contest. This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in . Feeding bears or allowing them access to human food and garbage causes a number of problems: For these reasons, park rangers issue citations for littering, feeding bears, and for improper food storage. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. Absolutely not! There is only one species of bear found in Tennessee, and that is the black bear. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. Its a local saying. They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. Dont run and dont turn your back from the black bear. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. In addition, they are good tree climbers, can swim very well, and can run 30 miles per hour. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. Since the national park is 800 sq. You can spot them anywhere in the Smokies. " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. Want to know about other wildlife you might see while youre here? Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Once they spot a catch, they grab it and roll over on their backs to eat while still in the water. They grow to a max weight of 70 pounds and 3 Ft. long. 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. to any bear in the national park. The Timber Rattler has the most toxic venom of the two species. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably also think of black bears. How visitors behave while in the park has an impact on the safety of bears. 107 Park Headquarters Road Big Sky Lodge #438. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. 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