2. 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. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? 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. For more information please read our privacy policy. Click Here, 6 Facts You Should Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Black bears will eat berries, nuts, and plants, as well as fish and insects. Keep this fact in mind when planning your hikes and activities. The bear will probably do the same. In the Smoky Mountains, almost all of the bears are black, but in other regions, the bears can be brown or even cinnamon. Head out to the Park in the early summer to witness mothers give birth to adorable calves and September-October for the annual mating season when bulls circle cows into herds. Smoky Mountain Black Bears (American Black Bear) are most active during morning and early evening during Spring and Summer. Studies have shown that bears that lose their fear of people by obtaining human food and garbage never live as long as bears that feed on natural foods and are shy and afraid of people. Warning: Bears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. In 2006, biologists estimated that the bear population in the national park was around 1,500, which means there is an average of two bears every square mile. This approach allows bears to remain in their home range, and discourages them from visiting developed areas or approaching people. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear. 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 . If you know you are going to be exploring the outdoors ahead of time, plan on bringing something appropriate to contain your trash. This insect defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and diseases which may kill the trees. The parks omnivorous black bears eat about 85% fruits and nuts, with meat providing the remaining 15%, which makes berry patches an extremely important resource as they prepare for hibernation. Here are 5 things you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. 1-800-371-0341 . It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in . Females give birth in late winter and can sire up to six kittens, which they raise for 6-8 months at most. It is relatively thick, with black or brown cross bands with chestnut, gray or yellow light backgrounds. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, clap loudly, wave your arms around and yell. If . Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. They dont like extreme cold or extreme heat. 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. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. However loss of habitat has resulted in a significant reduction in this range. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! The black bears can be seen in all elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas. In the rare case where a bear comes towards you, do not run! The Little Cataloochee Baptist Church, 2 miles in, offers good views of the surrounding fields (now being reclaimed by the forest) and works well as a turnaround point. (Answered with 5 Examples), these basic guidelines for bear encounters, List of Tennessee State Animals and Plants, Smoky Mountains Wildlife (12 Species With Pictures), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures), 4 Types of Water Snakes in Iowa (With Pictures). Visitors are urged to view all wildlife at a safe distance and to never throw food or garbage on the ground or leave it unattended. Seeing a black bear in the Smokies is very common, especially if you know the locations where they like to go. They also feast on dead animals and prey on deer. Black bears are perhaps the most "famous" wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (photo by Tom Middleton/shutterstock.com) 1. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store: 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend . Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Their diet mostly consists of plants like berries and nuts, but they do seek animals and insects as a source of protein. Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. They grow up to 36 inches in length and have a copious body.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0'); Generally, copperheads live on rocky, woody hillsides; they like to hide under leaf litter or large moist rocks in the Smoky Mountains. How Many Days Should You Stay in Gatlinburg, TN? Keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. The top of the bald itself is a grassy meadow stretching over 10 acres; in early summer it fills with a riot of Azalea blooms. The loop road is not only a great place to spot bears in the Smoky Moutains, but its also famous for fantastic hiking trails, historical structures, rushing streams and majestic waterfalls! They mostly hunt fish, frogs, rabbits, and rodents. Non-Native Species: The European wild hog is one of the most direct threats to the black bear. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. to any bear in the national park. Above all, keep your distance from bears! If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? If you are a nature lover looking to get a glimpse of the mighty black bear, the best time would be at the crack of dawn or at dusk, when they are the most active. In 2020, WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking humans. Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. Especially a mother with cubs. The Red Fox and the Gray Fox live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In this article, we have lined up some of the most common animals in the Smoky Mountains in no particular order.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-box-4','ezslot_4',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-box-4-0'); Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. Therefore, keep your camera ready and stay alert! When visitors head to the Smoky Mountains, it is common they stay in one of their authentic cabins. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. These social groups make river otters playful. Check out our guide to Smoky Mountain wildlife for even more animals! So pack accordingly. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. Another great place to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is in the Cades Cove section of the national park. Bears are like humans, they are omnivores. Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They dwell in the woods and meadows, where they browse on grass and other forest foliage. You are more likely to see them during the spring-summer months at sunrise and after sunset. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. Don't forget to read about bear safety before you explore. Black bears usually step away when they feel a human presence unless you get too close and give them a hand or if they are scavenging garbage. So much so, that the Smokies are considered black bear sanctuaries. While it is rare, if the bear makes contact with you - fight back. Want to get listed and grow your business? Although their bite is not lethal, it causes intense pain. 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. Therefore, your odds are pretty good if you plan to spend any significant amount of time in the park! The National Park Service requires you to always stay 50 yards or 150 feet away from wildlife. 250 pounds. Bears eat extra to double their weight by the fall since they sleep for so many months so they dont have to wake up and try to find food in the winter. If you brought it with you, then pack it out! Poaching: Unfortunately, the lure of high profits on international markets encourages the poaching of black bears. They like to howl at night. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. These bears pose a risk to public safety. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Fawns are born in spring and are adorned with spots to help camouflage them from predators in their early months of life. The elk population saw a sharp decline between the 80s and 90s but was reintroduced to the Park in 2001. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. Thank you for visiting! 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. On August 21, 2017 the western half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will lie within the path of totalit How well do you know our Smoky Mountain home? While this certainly adds to the appeal of those who want to observe these animals from a safe distance in the wild, it can also be dangerous for those who don't understand bears in the Smoky Mountains.If you see black bears in the Smoky Mountains during . Bears unafraid to approach humans teach this behavior to other bears and become a threat to the public, which often leads to euthanasia. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. When it comes to bear sightings, the best time to drive along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is during the early morning or evening hours. Not only do these bears have a shorter lifespan from eating human food; they are much more likely to be euthanized for attacking humans. An army of park volunteers patrol the park's most popular trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds to educate visitors about protecting bears. The most recent bear attack in Great Smoky Mountain National Park involved a family of five and their dog camping in the park's Elkmont Campground on June 12. During the warm winter days, you may have a chance to also see bears coming out of these shelters. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. You can also find animals roaming in the Park around the Cades Cove at dusk the best time to view wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains. See the picture below. Consider hanging items at least 10 feet up or investing in a bear-proof cooler or storage container. Learn more. The best way to explore the area is to drive along the 11 mile loop . The further west you head, the more likely it is you could see brown, cinnamon, tan or blonde black bears.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-box-4','ezslot_4',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-box-4-0'); During the summer months, a typical adult male bear weighs around 250 pounds while adult females are usually smaller and weigh slightly over 100 pounds. The adult male river otter also moves around in packs consisting of other males of up to 15 or more. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's . The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably also think of black bears. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. Otters skillfully wade through the water at great speed using their tail in search of prey. If you get into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself, then a can of bear spray may come in handy. Bears in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den high above the ground in standing hollow trees. Mule Deer Vs. Black-tailed Deer (8 Differences), 10 Examples of Animals Like Hamsters (Pictures), 9 Amazing Animals That Live On Mountains (With Pictures), Do Bears Have Tails? Black bears in the mountains dont actually hibernate in the winter months, but they do sleep for longer periods of time when it gets cold. Skip the traffic jam and head into where the bears really live on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. 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. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. Another non-native species, the gypsy moth, is expanding its range toward the park. [NPS]. This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. Do not invite bears into your campsite by storing food in or around your tent. Food can be kept inside the cabin, just as long as the windows and doors are kept closed. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. Absolutely not. Wild apples dot the fields of this historic town and the surrounding woods, providing a valuable food source for several different wildlife species, including bears. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. You may think black bears in the Smoky Mountains only eat . As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. Keeping your distance prevents the bears from becoming disturbed, and keeps you and the bears safe. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. It is preferable not to hike alone. Educational signs about bears can be found on picnic tables throughout the park and bear safety videos are posted on this website. Want to get listed and grow your business? The main thing you should take away from this is that you cannot outrun a bear. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. WARNING: Willfully approaching a black bear within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. The key to staying safe while staying at your cabins is to keep food and trash outside of your vehicle. Our Gatlinburg cabins sit only a few minutes from the national park, meaning you won't have to drive very far to see the black bears! The Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. It can really vary based on how available food is but generally black bears will go into hibernation sometime around September October and remain dormant through April. (2023 Updated), Gatlinburg SkyBridge: Everything You Need To Know. Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. Meadows interspersed through the forest bloom with azalea, ragwort, and butterfly weed, as well as offering a better range of vision for catching a glimpse of an elusive black bear. Many people think leaving food inside a car is safe, but bears will happily break into a vehicle to access a granola bar. Another place to see a bear is Ober Gatlinburg. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. So, when you visit this amazing Park, keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. As a precaution, you can also carry bear pepper spray for your protection, but be sure not to mishandle it. Allow 2-4 hours time for this excursion, maybe more if you plan on doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic perhaps. Head left at the junction with Crooked Arm Ridge trail at mile .5, keeping an eye out for mountain laurel blooming among the hardwoods. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in see black bears in the Smoky Mountains, and the area is easily accessible with the 11 mile loop road. 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