Category Archives: Black Bear
What If I Meet a Black Bear That Wants to Eat Me?
When a black bear approaches, how can you tell the difference between a curious bear, one that wants to eat your food, and one that wants to eat you? We…
How High Can a Black Bear Reach?
The bear on the left, a medium-sized male reaching for the backpack is taller than most female black bears. He stands about 6 feet to the tip of his…
The Refuge Tree
When a mother black bear leads her cubs away from a den, her usual destination is a big tree where the cubs can take refuge from danger. Around Ely, that…
The Black Bears’ Voice
Black bears not only communicate with grunts, tongue-clicks, and blowing. They have a resonant voice. It is not the barking, growling voice of a dog and is seldom the shrill…
How to Shoo a Black Bear?
Bears that are used to people may be harder to chase away. Most people hang back. Some enjoy watching. Others bang pans, which bears get used to. Generally when people…
How Do Black Bears Respond to Thunder and Lightning?
Black bears often climb trees during thunderstorms. Around Ely, mothers with cubs often bed beneath big white pines at night and climb them for “safety” in thunderstorms. Although these trees…
Effects of Food on Survival
Effects of food on cub growth and survival Starvation is the main cause of death for black bear cubs around Ely. By fall, cubs can weigh 15 to 165 pounds,…
Are Bears Related to Pigs?
No more than people are related to bears or pigs. Bears, pigs, and people all have omnivorous diets. They all have broad “bunodont” cheek teeth to crush a variety of…
What Is a “Nuisance” Black Bear?
A “nuisance” is any black bear someone considers unwelcome. Everyone has a different idea about what makes a bear unwelcome and what merits removal from a population. In many examples…
Cub Vocalizations – Mother Responses
Because bears are intelligent animals, much of their behavior is based on learning rather than instinct, so responses may vary. Vocalization Situation Mother’s Response Pulsating hum Nursing (or, rarely, when…
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies entirely on the support of visitors, merchandise sales and people like you. We do not receive any state or federal funding.
Help support our mission.
Donate Now