From Black Bear encounters to Civilized Bears.
Even Gentle Ben the bear.
What is the Friendliest Species of Bear? Black Bear Behavior & Civilized Bears
I’m a lucky man. I grew up in the Northern Appalachians of New Brunswick. And many a time I’ve wandered some of those Northwoods trails with excitement and contentment. Alone — but never alone at all, with all of that wildlife.
Yup, encountered a few bears over the years. Black bears are considered North America’s Friendliest Species of Bear. Of course I never fully tested that belief. We’d both just kind of calmly go our own way.
“Friendly,” you know, in the way that another big black forest animal just is not: the Moose.
In later years, Mary Lee and I bought an old renovated farmstead on Canada Hill, Nova Scotia. Lots of old apple trees. Which attracted lots of deer. And some bears. We thought the bear cub in the apple tree was cute — but knew that its mama was around somewhere. Maybe my Civilized Bears came out of those meetings…
I’ve talked to bears on occasion. But don’t wholly recommend it. Here, from a favourite nature writer is a Guest Blog Post you’ve gotta read:
“Understanding How Black Bears React to Humans” by Lisa Jeeves
Exploring the behavior of black bears in the presence of humans offers invaluable insights for wildlife enthusiasts.
Black bears are opportunistic omnivores, out there looking for various food sources like plants, berries, fruit (such as apples), insects, and fish. Their sensitive noses can lead them to dead animals. The stories of bears happily reaching into honeybee hives (ignoring the stings) are true. On the whole, bears — especially Black Bears — are not renowned for hunting Humans.
This article delves into the nuances of black bear interactions, providing safety tips and behavioral cues to ensure a respectful and secure wildlife experience. If you really want to go into the woods and meet a bear, you should read this!
Introduction to Black Bear Behavior
Black bears (Ursus americanus) are a common subject of interest among nature lovers and wildlife tourists. Understanding their behavior in human proximity is crucial for anyone venturing into their habitat. Contrary to popular belief, black bears are generally non-aggressive and shy away from human encounters. However, knowing how to interpret their behavior and react appropriately can enhance safety and enrich the viewing experience.
Recognizing Black Bear Behavior
Signs of Discomfort or Aggression
When black bears feel threatened, they may exhibit specific behaviors as warnings. Recognizing these signs can prevent escalations:
- Jaw Popping: This sound is a warning to back off.
- Paw Swatting: Swatting at the ground indicates irritation or a warning to keep distance.
- Snorting and Blowing: These are signs of discomfort.
- Charging or Lunging: Often a bluff charge intended to scare away threats rather than to attack.
Curiosity or Submissive Approaches
Occasionally, a black bear might approach humans out of curiosity or to assert dominance. In such cases, it is advised to:
- Speak in a firm, calm voice.
- Slowly back away while avoiding direct eye contact.
- Never run or make sudden movements, as this may trigger a chase response
Safety Tips for Bear Encounters
For those participating in bear tours, safety is paramount. Here are some guidelines to ensure a safe encounter:
- Maintain Distance: Always observe bears from a safe distance. Use binoculars or zoom lenses for closer views.
- Do Not Feed Bears: Feeding bears can encourage them to approach other humans with expectations of food.
- Store Food Securely: When camping in bear habitats, use bear-proof containers and store all food items securely.
- Stay Calm: If you encounter a bear, remain calm and do not scream or make sudden movements.
- Use Bear Spray: Carry and know how to use bear spray as a last resort defense.
Understanding Bear Behavior Statistics
According to the North American Bear Center, black bear attacks on humans are extremely rare. Almost as rare as wolf attacks. Research indicates that there have been approximately 63 documented cases of black bear killings in North America in the last 110 years. Most black bears avoid confronting humans and, when unprovoked, are more likely to retreat than attack.
Conclusion
Understanding and respecting black bear behavior enhances safety and contributes to the conservation efforts by minimizing negative interactions. By educating themselves, visitors can enjoy the majestic presence of black bears without disrupting their natural behavior.
For more detailed guidelines on bear safety, visit the National Park Service – Bears Safety and BearSmart websites.
By adhering to these practices, wildlife enthusiasts can ensure both their safety and the welfare of the bears they admire.
Thanks, Lisa, for this.
We’ve got to be careful around loose bears, even the black ones, the most friendly ones.
We wouldn’t recommend that a little girl, seeing an 650 lb adult black bear wandering alone, reach into her lunch basket and feed the bear. That really happened in Miami. On that day a panicked film crew was trying to find their runaway animal star. The lost bear was known to the world as Gentle Ben. SEE STORIES OF FAMOUS BEARS IN FACT – From Gentle Ben to James Adams’ Grizzly Bear.
Lisa Jeeves is an accomplished Wildlife & Outdoors Writer now living in London, England. Her articles include “Unique Learning Experiences at London Zoo.” And “A Winter Walker’s Wildest Dreams Come True!” Source: Free Guest Posting Articles.
Do you love animal stories?
If so, you’ve got to read my popular short story “THE BOY WHO WAS RAISED BY BEARS.” A Traditional Native American Animal Story & Folktale Retold.
Talking bears and human children adopted and raised by loving mama bears are common story themes in both Old and New World oral traditions. Even J R R Tolkien wrote about Beowulf and Bear’s Son Tales in European folklore.
“I loved this beautiful Animal Tale. Perfect!” Free to Read ==> CLICK HERE THE BOY WHO WAS RAISED BY BEARS
