Do not approach the bear. This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. As a bonus, Cades Cove offers plenty of other wildlife too, including white tailed deer and coyotes! Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. A Grand View Lodge #540. These bears pose a risk to public safety. Always respect bears and give them space. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are incredibly rare and deaths even more so. Now I have not raced a bear recently so Ill have to take the internets word for this. Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. 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. 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. They both grow from 20-25 lbs. 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. They can also teach other bears this dangerous behavior. The Gray Fox differs from the red ones with their black-tipped tail, unlike the red foxes with a white tail. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. If youre one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. Salamanders slither through wet areas, mostly hiding under logs and large stones near the Parks creeks. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. In the Smoky Mountains, almost all of the bears are black, but in other regions, the bears can be brown or even cinnamon. The Timber Rattler has the most toxic venom of the two species. 11 Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains, 8 Best ATV & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains 2023. Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. Consider hanging items at least 10 feet up or investing in a bear-proof cooler or storage container. Bears over 600 pounds have been documented in the park. There are 412 types of animals present in these mountains, But are there bears in the smoky mountains? Good luck and be safe! Females give birth in late winter and can sire up to six kittens, which they raise for 6-8 months at most. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. Dont make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear. The key to staying safe while staying at your cabins is to keep food and trash outside of your vehicle. Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. Other Threats to Bears 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! Look no further than Five Little Bears! 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. This insect defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and diseases which may kill the trees. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. Its a 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous. Most of the time bears will flee when they encounter humans, however in the national park these bears are protected and are probably pretty bold. Photo: "Clingmans Dome (AKA Smoky Dome) - Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA" by jody.claborn is marked with CC PDM 1.0. At the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones. There are many old cabins and historical type sites you can see. Click Here, Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. 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. Wildlife managers actively monitor for bear activity and use innovative and proactive techniques to keep bears shy, secretive, and afraid of people. River Otters are great swimmers, so you will often see them splashing and sliding in the wallows near the river banks its the easiest way to find a group of otters. So pack accordingly. It is illegal to get. The newest attractions opening this year. In many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. Sign up for Outside+ today. If you spot one while hiking in the Park, stay away or back away slowly and calmly to avoid a wild chase. After all, they are pretty much the face of the park and Gatlinburg. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. So it is best to just do the right thing and go the other way. 20 Must-Know Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts. It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile.Source: @carlosfineartphoto, It is not uncommon to see a black bear during a visit to the Smoky Mountains, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_11',163,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-163{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}. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. 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. As the name suggests, the Northern Copperhead comes in copper, pink, and orange shades, with brown patches crossing the body. They are more frequently sighted in the Tennessee region of the Smoky Mountains. The best time to spot wildlife is at dawn when they come out of hiding to drink from the creeks or look for prey. 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. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. These pervasive intruders feed on the acorns and other foods that are mainstays of bear diets. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. 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. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. It is relatively thick, with black or brown cross bands with chestnut, gray or yellow light backgrounds. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. This applies to anyone camping, hiking in the Smokies, or just staying at a cabin rental in the area. Yes, there is with the black bears being the majority at approximately 1500. Stay calm. Do not play dead. They are omnivores. Black bears are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. They are omnivores and eat things like fish, nuts, berries, and plants. They can climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be. While it is rare, if the bear makes contact with you - fight back. Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. 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. Dispose of all food scraps or garbage in bear proof garbage containers or take it home with you. However, bears may double their weight by the fall. Gatlinburg So be careful not to wander too far off your tour group/guide while hiking in the Smoky Mountains. It can also make the bear too brave and result in a bear attack. " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. 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. If you find your cabin does not have this, arrange for an employee to bring you one. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. Here are some easy tips to remember when hiking, picnicking, camping or visiting The Smoky Mountains. Check the "Bear Closures" and "Bear Warnings" section of the Temporary Closures page before planning a hike in the park. To begin planning your stay, give us a call at (800) 953-5655 and book your vacation with one of our vacation specialists! The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. The park has done many things to make it easier for you to protect bears. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. 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+ If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. If you are hiking through the mountains, its easy to see The North American River Otters having a good romp along the river banks. This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported that a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles away from Gatlinburg. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. 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. As a precaution, you can also carry bear pepper spray for your protection, but be sure not to mishandle it. Source: @carlosfineartphoto Fight back with anything you have at your disposal, make loud noises. However, in the fall, their weight almost doubles. They mostly hunt fish, frogs, rabbits, and rodents. Want to get listed and grow your business? Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are very rare. Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. 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