Learn your bear facts

#MiddleburyCT #MLT #BlackBear

A large male black bear weighing about 500 pounds peers around a tree in People’s State Forest in Barkhamsted, Connecticut. Black bears typically have glossy black fur, with a brown muzzle, and white markings on the chest are not uncommon. (Ginny Apple photo)

By JANINE SULLIVAN–WILEY

On May 16, the Middlebury Land Trust again hosted DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny Apple for an engaging and informative talk, this time about black bears and other types of bears. (I’m glad the only kind we have around here is the black bear.) She covered bear biology and behavior and presented a lot of data.

The northwest part of Connecticut, which includes Middlebury, has the highest density of black bears in a state that is home to an estimated 1,200 black bears. Connecticut is about 60% forested, providing ideal bear habitat.

Sows (females) have an average of 2.5 cubs per birth, with an impressive 82% survival rate through their first year. A bear’s typical lifespan is 18 to 20 years, although some live well into their 20s and a few even make it to their 30s. Their high birth and survival rates mean the bear population is steadily creeping up. Black bears have now been reported in 159 of the state’s 169 towns, although most of the sows with cubs have been seen in the western towns.

Cubs remain with mom into the early part of their second summer, when the sow chases them off, and then can mate again. These young ones need to find new territories. Female cubs are allowed to stay in mom’s territory, but male cubs are “encouraged” to move farther on and find a new territory.

Female territories average 5 to 7 square miles, while boars (males) cover up to 60 square miles depending on habitat and food availability. Weights differ by both gender and time of year. Females range from 150 to 300 pounds, while males usually are 200 to 450 pounds, with some weighing even more. The same bear can look completely different after months of eating almost nothing during its winter period of torpor and then ballooning up after it packs on the pounds during hyperphagia in the fall, when it may eat 20-30,000 calories a day.

The winter period of torpor (often called but not a true hibernation) includes a fun but weird fact: black bears shed the calloused skin on their footpads during that time.

It is the bears’ drive to eat that is the root of many bear-human conflicts. They are omnivores with a diet including berries, nuts, and things we don’t usually eat, such as grubs and skunk cabbage. When humans leave lots of high-value food around, on purpose or accidentally (like bird seed or accessible garbage), bears will sensibly take the easy food.

They then associate humans with food and lose their natural fear of folks (habituation). This has led to bears foraging around or even in homes. Apple showed videos of bears demonstrating surprising entry skills such as opening a patio slider door and a kitchen freezer or climbing through windows. Those bears had become “habituated.”

Bear moms are good teachers. Little cubs are taught to climb a tree at the first hint of danger. This helps make black bears with cubs less dangerous than a brown or grizzly bear if we get between mom and her cubs. They also teach them how and where to find food. That should be in the woods, not in our yards or our homes.

Apple made very clear the role of human behavior in the development of problem bears. It’s up to us to ensure that they don’t become habituated. Bird feeders should be removed between March and December, and, if necessary, bear-proof garbage containers should be used (USA Waste charges an additional $12/month for a bear-resistant can). Actions like these have reduced bear problems by 70% where “Bear Smart” programs have been implemented. Livestock and bees can be protected with electric fences.

Many towns in Connecticut have ordinances that prohibit the use of bird feeders during months. In addition, Connecticut Public 23-77 addresses bird feeders from the perspective of “intentionally feeding” potentially dangerous animals. DEEP conservation officers enforce this law.

Black bear repellents include air horns (although they can get used to these), “bear cans” (metal can with coins to shake), and regular pepper spray (bear spray is stronger, which can be a problem if children access it).

If you see a bear, don’t run, just make noise. They may stand up on their back feet; that is generally just to get a better look. If upset, they may make a hissing sound or clack their teeth, or even bluff charge, but serious black bear attacks are extremely rare. Keeping a good distance is the best course.

Apple and DEEP encourage us to report bear sightings – especially sows with cubs – at portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Report-a-Wildlife-Sighting or just search for “DEEP report bear sighting,” And enjoy this great privilege of seeing our wild neighbors.

For questions or comments, contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com. You can visit the Middlebury Land Trust on Facebook or the website at middleburylandtrust.org to find plenty of great outdoor spaces to explore and information about upcoming events. Happy hiking!