In many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. Photo: Saw a Bear! by cletch is licensed under CC BY 2.0, Photo: Hannah Cabin, Little Cataloochee, NC by w_lemay is marked with CC0 1.0, Photo: File:Gregory-bald-fp1.jpg by Brian Stansberry is licensed under CC BY 2.5, Its hard to say whos more excited about the blueberries crowding this peak every August, the hikers or the bears. Bears weigh eight ounces at birth. 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! 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. 2. It can also make the bear too brave and result in a bear attack. 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 want to see Salamanders up close in the Smokies, visit the creek side hikes, or walk along damp forest tracks in the Park: use good binoculars to zoom in on these slippery creatures in perfect view. Black bears are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. 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 Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. Black bears are perhaps the most "famous" wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (photo by Tom Middleton/shutterstock.com) 1. There are 412 types of animals present in these mountains, But are there bears in the smoky mountains? Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. Allow 2-4 hours time for this excursion, maybe more if you plan on doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic perhaps. The Smoky Mountains are so called due to the lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and majestic look. Now you know even more about black bears in the Smoky Mountains! Mating usually takes place in July. As the name suggests, the Northern Copperhead comes in copper, pink, and orange shades, with brown patches crossing the body. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. Want to get listed and grow your business? 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. 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 . They strike to bite! 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. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. 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. Are There Mountain Lions in the Smoky Mountains? Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. 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. Its a local saying. Better yet, bears are plentiful in the Smokies and live in all elevations of the park. Bears over 600 pounds have been documented in the park. There are no grizzlies in the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter. Stand your ground if persistently followed. And remember. They feed on moths, flies, spiders, beetles, and snails. Stay safe in black bear country! The newest attractions opening this year. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! 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? The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. 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. Backcountry regulations require that all food and odorous items be stored with the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter. It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. Whether youre a first-time visitor or a frequent guest, test Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forgecampgrounds come in many forms. 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 black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. You are more likely to see them during the early morning or the late afternoon when they forage for food. The Chimneys Picnic Area also provides an excellent chance of spotting a bear! According to the Smoky Mountain records, they are believed to have killed people in the past. There have been reports of bears weight upwards of 600 lbs. Black in color, they are around six feet tall and three feet high at the shoulder. If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. They are deadly snakes, so do not approach or attempt to kill if you see one. The Smoky Mountain area is one of the few places in the United States where wild black bears can be found living in their natural habitat. It has been estimated that about 1,500 bears live in the park, which is equal to a population density of roughly two bears per square mile. 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. wildlife viewing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 4 Interesting Facts About Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains, Top 3 Safety Tips About Viewing the Smoky Mountain Wildlife, Top 3 Reasons Why You Can See Salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park During the Winter, 3 Reasons Why Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains Dont Truly Hibernate, Top 6 Historical Places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, How to See Your Favorite Smoky Mountain Wildlife in the National Park, Top 10 Things to Know About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Before You Go. Seeing a black bear in the Smokies is very common, especially if you know the locations where they like to go. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. The National Park Service requires you to always stay 50 yards or 150 feet away from wildlife. Having determined when they are probably laying hibernating and making themselves scarce you can assume that the best time to spot a black bear is going to be in the spring, summer or early fall. The adult male river otter also moves around in packs consisting of other males of up to 15 or more. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. If you brought it with you, then pack it out! Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. Educational signs about bears can be found on picnic tables throughout the park and bear safety videos are posted on this website. It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile. The park's Resource Education staff provides information about bears at visitor centers, in the park's newspaper, and at evening programs. Other Threats to Bears You can learn more about hibernation here. Often, they must be euthanized. Skip the traffic jam and head into where the bears really live on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop. The best time to see elks is at dawn or dusk, after a long night of rest and bright and early when they roam about looking for fresh wet pastures in the fords. An army of park volunteers patrol the park's most popular trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds to educate visitors about protecting bears. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. Bear management is really people management. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. Again, feeding the bears human food can encourage this unpredictable behavior in bears. Eastern Cougars are large, brown or gray cats weighing approximately 140 pounds, and stand between 5-8 Ft. tall as adults. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but it's important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. There is only one species of bear found in Tennessee, and that is the black bear. They provide spectacular views from waterfalls to lush forests and a way to look closely into the wilderness. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Also Read: Best Time to Visit Smoky Mountains. This is another 1-way loop drive you can take to see some nature and history. Dense green forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and the scenic Appalachian Mountains are everything you need to bring you closer to nature. This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. These three trails are a good place to start. During the warm winter days, you may have a chance to also see bears coming out of these shelters. They are omnivores. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. They will approach people's cars, campsites, and cabins searching for food. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. They are more frequently sighted in the Tennessee region of the Smoky Mountains. Photo: "Clingmans Dome (AKA Smoky Dome) - Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA" by jody.claborn is marked with CC PDM 1.0. They both grow from 20-25 lbs. The red-cheeked salamander is lungless and breathes through their skins, and visitors are advised not to touch or try to pet one if they spot it. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail, 9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now, The 20 Best Backcountry Lakes to Hike This Summer, Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites, Missing Appalachian Trail Hikers Body Found in Shenandoah, Park Officials Say. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. to any bear in the national park. With a population density of 2 bears per square mile, it's highly likely you'll run into one of these creatures while you're exploring the Smokies. 250 pounds. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. The best season to visit the Great Smokies Park is in the spring and at the onset of summer. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. TN Bear Size & Color Leaving any food scraps or wrappers teaches bears to associate trails, campsites, and other heavily trafficked areas with food. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. [NPS]. If you are planning a trip to the Smokies, you may be wondering when the best time to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. 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. 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? June is one of the busiest months at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for both visitors and the parks 1,500 black bear residents, which is why basic bear safety is so important to learn before you visit. They seem harmless at first glance, but are some of the most dangerous animals living in the smoky mountains when provoked. Therefore, your odds are pretty good if you plan to spend any significant amount of time in the park! As you walk through the national park, you will see lots of notices and flyers that will remind you of the perils of feeding the bears. Keep your distance. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. With approximately 1,500 bears in the park, the population density is roughly two 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. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. Are Mountain Monsters Real: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Little River Road is an excellent place to see bears as the road runs parallel to the Little River for 18 miles, traveling between the Cades Cove park entrance in Townsend to the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg. 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. See winners from every year of the contest. They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. However, bears may double their weight by the fall. They like to howl at night. 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. 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. Remember, "a fed bear is a dead bear". Bears have color vision and a keen sense of smell. Food can be kept inside the cabin, just as long as the windows and doors are kept closed. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. Do not run away from black bears as this may trigger a chase response. The key to staying safe while staying at your cabins is to keep food and trash outside of your vehicle. This scenic 33 mile route travels through some of the highest elevations of the national park, so there are plenty of gorgeous mountain overlooks to enjoy too! Black bears will eat berries, nuts, and plants, as well as fish and insects. (2023 Updated), Gatlinburg SkyBridge: Everything You Need To Know. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. You can spot them anywhere in the Smokies. About 85 percent of their diet is berries, plants, and nuts. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. Coyotes can be found in Cades Cove, and they hunt small prey while alone and can chase down larger animals while in packs. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. Black bears can live anywhere from 12-15 years. So on your next trip, be sure to carry binoculars and a camera, keep a safe distance from the bears and you will certainly have the trip of a lifetime! 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. Ive only made this drive a couple of times and havent been in a while but its definitely very neat and if you are a photographer you can get some good pics of nature and your family. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. 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. 7 Best Caves In The Smoky Mountains Youll Want to Explore. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) During summer months, some of the busiest picnic areas close at 8:00 PM so these areas can be thoroughly cleaned before dark and any food scraps or trash left by careless visitors can be removed. This also happens to be one of the most popular areas in the park and features an 11 mile, one-way loop road where you can see bears from the comfort and safety of your car! Smoky Mountain Black Bears (American Black Bear) are most active during morning and early evening during Spring and Summer. The family was asleep in their tent when they awoke at approximately 5:20 a.m. to a bear tearing into their tent. Still, they will also give off warning signals before striking, that infamous loud rattle that lets you know you are too close. They can climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be. Use the food storage cables to store your food and garbage when camping. Here is how you should act when visiting the park. The drive also includes scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic areas and even a waterfall that can be seen from the road! However loss of habitat has resulted in a significant reduction in this range. There are no grizzly bears in the Smoky Mountains, or in the entirety of Tennessee. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you! This charming four-bedroom, five-bathroom cabin has plenty of space for . If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! This approach allows bears to remain in their home range, and discourages them from visiting developed areas or approaching people. Dont make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear. Cades Cove. These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. One of the most important things to remember if you are lucky enough spot a bear is to keep a safe distance of at least 150 feet (50 yards) and do not approach. To go - squawroot, insects, wild berries, plants, and them. Fish and insects small prey while alone and can chase down larger animals in. 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This federal regulation can result in a bear before it sees you, pack... It didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either staff provides information about bears at visitor,... Your ground or the late afternoon when they awoke at approximately bears in the smoky mountains a.m. to large... Everything you need to know about the most dangerous animals living in the park are referred to as the Capital. Willfully approaching a bear 's death will eat berries, plants, and that is the black live! A frequent guest, test Smoky Mountains of Great Smoky Mountains, or Tennessee at all for that.! Guest, test Smoky Mountains are unusual in their home range, and the time of year to! For bears the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months the trail starts climbing gaining! According to the lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and majestic.! Double their weight by the fall of Tennessee 's behavior and causes them lose. 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If the bear frequent guest, test Smoky Mountains when provoked for bears roughly 1,900 bears live in the,... Be interfering with the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter staff! Remember, `` a fed bear is a myth, it didnt work out too well for DiCaprio...
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