bears in the smoky mountains
If you know you are going to be exploring the outdoors ahead of time, plan on bringing something appropriate to contain your trash. Animals around the Cades Cove include black bears, deer, coyotes and many more. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. 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. Coyotes can be found in Cades Cove, and they hunt small prey while alone and can chase down larger animals while in packs. 2. Smoky mountains sustain an ecosystem consisting of thousands of species. He was obviously begging for food, someone must have been dropping him snacks. 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. It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. 11 Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains, 8 Best ATV & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains 2023. Black bears are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. Stand your ground if persistently followed. Dispose of all food scraps or garbage in bear proof garbage containers or take it home with you. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles from Gatlinburg. 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. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. Not only could bear's food source of acorns be affected, but some of the prime denning spots in old growth trees may be lost. The National Park Service requires you to always stay 50 yards or 150 feet away from wildlife. Non-Native Species: The European wild hog is one of the most direct threats to the black bear. These creatures are pretty stocky, and they pack on the pounds before winter. At mile 5.9, turn right on the Crooked Arm Ridge trail to head back to the parking lot. Before their hibernation, they can double their body weight! This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. 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. Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. You can learn more about hibernation here. If you spot a bear and he doesnt see you, keep it that way. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store: 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend . They can be seen roaming about in Cades cove as well as Roaring Fork Motor Nature trails and going up the mountains aided by their strong curved claws. These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. Bears come out of hibernation and can eat anything during this time. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, be sure to use the provided bear-proof dumpsters and garbage cans. There are hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; stay on them and be aware of your surroundings. On colder days, bears will wake up and wander away for a little bit before heading back to their den to sleep.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-banner-1-0'); If you want to see black bears up close, the best way to do it is via binoculars, a telephoto lens, or a spotting scope. Look no further than Five Little Bears! 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. The females are much smaller, weighing around only 100-120 lbs. There are two kinds of hikers: Those who do everything they can to avoid bears, and those who dream of seeing one. The Oconaluftee Center and Cataloochee Valley is an ideal destination to see elks, specifically at dawn and at dusk. In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. Keeping your distance prevents the bears from becoming disturbed, and keeps you and the bears safe. Black bears can live anywhere from 12-15 years. Drove up to a cabin in Gatlinburg TN, Smoky Mountains Park with Sean from YouTube @WeReviewU to see a surprise#gatlinburg #smokymountains #bears Thank you so. Bear Size & Color The bear's keen sense of smell leads it to insects, nuts and berries, but the animal is also enticed by the tantalizing smells of human food and garbage such as hot dogs, apple cores, chips, and watermelon rinds left on the ground in picnic areas, campgrounds, and along trails. Over time, these bears may begin approaching people in search of food and may become more unpredictable and dangerous. Wildlife managers actively monitor for bear activity and use innovative and proactive techniques to keep bears shy, secretive, and afraid of people. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. Bears should also be treated with caution and respect. They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. If youre visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, dont be afraid of these wild cats because they are harmless, but do not like to be intimidated, so dont get too close. It can also make the bear too brave and result in a bear attack. Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams. So be careful not to wander too far off your tour group/guide while hiking in the Smoky Mountains. Here is how you should act when visiting the park. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. Bobcats are solitary, reclusive felines that live in theSmokies. Here are 5 things you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. They will avoid hot summer days, preferring to rest in a shady tree or lounge in cooler areas. Within the national park, it is illegal to approach black bears within 50 yards or 150 feet. These pervasive intruders feed on the acorns and other foods that are mainstays of bear diets. 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. The best season to visit the Great Smokies Park is in the spring and at the onset of summer. Do not play dead. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. Of course it most likely would never come to this as bears as long as you follow these basic guidelines for bear encounters, but maybe better safe than sorry? With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park CSGM Theme by carodactyll | Digital Marketing by YlliB, Inc. By continuing to use our website, you are accepting the use of cookies. Carry bear spray in a wearable holster so you can easily access it if needed As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is estimated that about 1,500 black bears live in the national park. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. , You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. The mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of sight, but they are dangerous. Females give birth in late winter and can sire up to six kittens, which they raise for 6-8 months at most. Stay calm. Food can be kept inside the cabin, just as long as the windows and doors are kept closed. as adults. Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC, TN Black Bear Management This orphaned bear cub from the Smokies gets another chance with a foster bear at Virginia Tech. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These Photos Prove It. Humans are discouraged from feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly. miles in size, this means bears have a population density of nearly 2 bears per square mile. Its common knowledge that black bears can be seen all over Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains National Park, we were excited to see one right out in the creek outside of our hotel room. 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. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! We all know bears hibernate in the winter. Increase the distance between you and the bear. Record weight for black bears is up to 600 pounds! Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. Use the food storage cables to store your food and garbage when camping. Do not give up and let the bear think you are food. Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Even by taking all the right precautions, you could still encounter a bear in the Smokies. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are very rare. They are immensely athletic, run at incredible speeds, and can quickly leap over an 8-foot fence. You may be thinking then why is the NBA team in Memphis, Tennessee called the Memphis Grizzlies? This team was originally in Vancouver, Canada and apparently on Vancouver Island there have been instances of grizzly bear sightings. While seeing these creatures is never guaranteed, there are places where you are more likely to see them. 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