Smoky Mountain Wildlife
Great Smoky Mountain National Park hosts over 200 species of birds,66 species of mammals, 75 types of reptiles and amphibians.
Black Bear
(Ursus americanus)
Bear population is around 1600
A mother bear with two cubs feasting on tender new growth in Cades Cove.
Interesting Information about Black Bears
Black bears are described as shy, gentle, usually solitary animals that are very rarely known to be aggressive. Bears most often attempt to avoid humans and stay away from homes. When more than one bear is seen together it will usually be a family unit (sow with cubs or yearlings) or during the summer breeding season. Although bears have poor eyesight (they are nearsighted – see poorly at longer distances), they have exceptionally good senses of smell and hearing. Adult female black bears breed every other year and give birth from early January to early February while in the den. Female black bears give birth to 1 to 4 cubs (average 2.5), each weighing 6 to 12 ounces while the sow is in their winter bear den. The cubs are blind at birth, yet they have exceptionally well developed claws so they can climb around the den and on the sow to find the source of milk. Bear milk is very rich in fat and other nutritional substances. Cubs gain weight very fast and may grow 10 times their birth weight before leaving the den in April. Feeding cubs often make a unique “purring-type” sound when nursing that can often be heard when approaching a bear den. The cubs and yearlings stay with their mother until they are about 1½ years old and are ready to be on their own. By the time they reach one year old, the yearling bears may weigh 60 pounds or more. Black bears usually reach full maturity by age three and one-half years, although sows may breed earlier. Fully grown female bears (sows) usually weigh 125 to 250 (rarely over 300) pounds and are about 5 feet in length. Male bears (boars) are most often larger and usually weigh 200 to 400 pounds, occasionally exceeding 600 pounds. The largest known wild black bear was found in eastern North Carolina; it weighed 880 pounds. Bears are probably most active at dawn or dusk (crepuscular), but can be active at any time, night or day, particularly when food is abundant. Bears have been known to feed on acorns as much as 20 hours in a day. In the wild, black bears in Virginia have been known to live to be 26 years old. The oldest wild bear was recently found in Pennsylvania to be 30 years old. Black bears may live longer in captivity. Using a microscope, wildlife biologists studying black bears can determine the age of a bear by counting the annuli (growth) rings in a tooth, much like counting the rings of a tree. Black bears have no predators except humans. Hunting is the most effective tool wildlife managers have for population control. Black bears spend a lot of time searching for food and eating. As they prepare to hibernate during the winter, bears may consume 10,000 to 12,000 calories a day, an amount equal to about seven loaves of bread. An adult male bear can gain more than 100 pounds during the fall, prior to denning, when large amounts of food such as acorns are available. While hibernating in the den, black bears do not eat, drink, defecate or urinate. Black bears usually den in hollow trees, although some will den up in depressions in the ground, in brush piles, under upturned trees, in rock cavities and under rock overhangs. Black bears are very strong and very fast. They can climb a tree at six weeks old. They can outrun humans with their ability to run 40 miles per hour. They are also good swimmers. Their claws are not retractable like a cat, and they use them for climbing, digging for insects or small mammals, turning over large rocks, getting insect larvae from inside rotten logs and for manipulating food. Bears are omnivorous, meaning they eat plants and animals, although they are classified as carnivores (meat eaters). They eat insects, leaves, berries, nuts, fruit, or on occasion juvenile mammals such as fawns, or small mammals such as groundhogs, Amphibians such as lizards, and carrion (deer or other animals that have died from other causes) and even fish may be eaten by bears. Most (80+%) of their diet is vegetation or insects. Black bears are adaptable. Although black bears like remote, densely wooded habitats and swampy areas, they commonly frequent areas where timber has been cut for the berries and other foods that can be found there or for den sites. Bears are also commonly found in some farmer’s fields eating corn, fruit in orchards and other crops. Typically, bears fear and avoid people, but can be attracted to homes if they find food sources like garbage, pet food, crops, and bird feed. Property damage reports are received each year when foods such as pet food, garbage, fruits, bird seed or feeders and other food attractants are stored in screened-in porches or small out-buildings. Dogs should be kept on a leash or lead when bears are known to be near homes or when hiking in bear habitats.
In 2001 - 2002 the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Service began to reintroduce Elk into the park. The original plan called for about 75 Elk to be released in the Cataloochee Valley over a 3 year period. However only 25 where released in 2001 and 27 in January 2002. Today the estimate is 60 to 70
Males can Weight 600 to 700 Pounds
Females can Weight 500 pounds
Look for Elk in Chataloochee Valley and Oconaluftee
areas.
grey squirrel
Eastern grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis
Female
Male
The crow-sized woodpecker is dressed like a medieval Galahad or Gawain. Slate-black plumage resembles a coat of mail, and this is surmounted by a jaunty red crest worn with the aplomb of those knights of old. His call is a wild and commanding "kuk-kuk, kuk-kuk" that resounds through the trees for as much as a mile.
The nesting holes of these birds are usually from twenty to seventy feet from the ground and nearly always in a dead tree. Sometimes the hole is drilled to a depth of three feet. After the nest is abandoned, the hole is utilized by screech owls, wood ducks and squirrels.
These large birds have adapted well to man and seem to be generally on the increase in population, particularly where wooded sections of several acres are available.
The pileated woodpecker expresses the spirit of the wild and should be accorded the greatest protection possible.
There are at least 30 different species of
salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Northern Water Snake
This Snake is often seen around the creeks and river sunning. The harmless Northern Water Snake is often mistaken to be the venomous Copperhead. Cottonmouth is the only North American venomous water snake - a species which is not found in the Smokies.
BLACK
RATSNAKE
The
Black Ratsnake is the largest, most commonly encountered snake in the park
growing to 6’. It can be found throughout the area, is an expert climber
and spends most of it’s time in trees dining on birds, eggs and nestlings.
Although they spend a good bit of time in trees they can often be found
crossing your path.
