The American black bear is an iconic symbol of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which provides the largest protected bear habitat in the eastern United States.
The park is home to approximately 1,500-1,900 black bears, creating a population density of about two bears per square mile across all elevations.
Physical Characteristics and Behavior
Black bears in the Smokies are typically black in color and can reach up to six feet in length and three feet high at the shoulder. Adult males weigh around 250 pounds during summer, while females weigh just over 100 pounds, though both may double their weight by fall. Some bears in the park have exceeded 600 pounds. These omnivores feed primarily on plant materials like berries and nuts (85% of their diet), supplemented by insects and carrion. They possess color vision, an exceptional sense of smell, and are skilled climbers and swimmers capable of running 30 miles per hour.
Life Cycle
Bears are most active during early morning and late evening in spring and summer, with mating occurring in July. They den in hollow stumps, tree cavities, or uniquely in the Smokies, high above ground in standing hollow trees. During winter, bears enter long sleep periods (not true hibernation), and females give birth to one to four cubs in late January or early February. Cubs, born weighing just eight ounces, stay with their mothers for about eighteen months.
Visitor Safety
Bears can detect scents from over a mile away, making proper food storage critical. Visitors should lock car doors, secure all trash in bear-proof containers, avoid leaving food outside, and keep windows closed while cooking. Never feed bears—once they associate humans with food, their survival is compromised and their lifespan can be cut in half. If you encounter a bear, remain calm, back away slowly, and make loud noises to scare it off. These precautions protect both visitors and ensure bears maintain their natural behavior for future generations.
