• 1. Black Bears are not just carnivores. Like humans, the bears are omnivores, however they mostly eat plants. . Eighty-five percent of their diet consists of berries and nuts. The other part of their diet consists of insects and other animals, which is where bears get their protein from.
• 2. Black bears are not necessarily black in color. In the Great Smoky Mountains region, black bears are black in color. However, in other parts of the country, the black bear species can be brown or cinnamon in color.
• 3. Cades Cove is the best site to view black bears. Your best chance at viewing black bears and other wildlife is in Cades Cove. This park provides wildlife, like black bears, with clearings and pastures where they like to hang out. These areas make it easier for visitors to spot Cades Cove wildlife. Bears are more active after dawn and just before dusk, so that will be the best times to view them.
• 4. Black bears are huge! Well, they aren’t that big compared to their cousin, the grizzly bear, but they are still pretty big. A typical black bear is 3 feet tall and 6 feet long. Males weigh 250 pounds on average while females are much smaller at around 100 pounds. However, bears of over 600 pounds have been documented within the Great Smoky Mountains.
• 5. Black Bears live for about 12 to 15 years. The life expectancy of a black bear can cut in half when bears have access to waste and human food. That is why it is vitally important to never feed the bears.
• 6. Don’t think you can outrun a bear. The bears can run 30 miles per hour. They also are great tree climbers and can swim very well. So, climbing a tree is not the best way to get away from a bear. If you encounter a bear, it is best to back away slowly while maintaining eye contact with the bear.
• 7. Black bears can make up to 20 different sounds. Those sounds can mean a variety of different things. Sounds expressing aggression include growls, woofs, snorts, bellows and roars. While sounds expressing contentment includes mumbles, squeaks, and pants.
• 8. Don’t mess with mama bears. Mama bears are notorious for being protective of their young. What people do not know is that a bear can have between 1 and 6 cubs per litter. But most bears have only 2 or 3 cubs per litter.
• 9. They are great climbers. Bears are always looking for food. Contrary to popular belief, bears can climb trees, and they do so to look for food. In trees, bears can collect insects, bird eggs and acorns, all a great source of food.

STAYING SAFE: Black bears are wild and sometimes unpredictable, so keep those safety measures in mind:

• 1. Never feed or approach a bear
• 2. If a bear approaches you, stand your ground. Do not run! Make yourself look large and throw rocks or sticks at the bear.
• 3. If you are attacked, fight back, let him know you are not a prey.
• 4. Never leave food or coolers unattended.
• 5. And please remember: Wilfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. Please do not do it!

For more information about black bears and your safety: www.nps.gov/grsm