A large bear often destroys the trees because the branches are just not strong enough to hold its weight. The eyesight of the black bear is relatively poor, but its senses of hearing and smell are well developed. A startled animal will usually attempt to get downwind from an intruder and make an identification by smell.
Under favourable atmospheric conditions bears can detect carrion, which they scavenge, at considerable distances. Frequently, a black bear will stand on its hind legs with its nose in the air and scent the wind for any delectable odours. Although it is rarely heard, the black bear has several distinct calls.
These include a growl of anger, a whining call, and sniffs of many sorts. Bears make moaning and teeth chattering sounds to threaten other bears. A female with cubs may warn them of danger with a loud woof-woof and call them in with a whining or whimpering sound. The cry of a young cub in trouble is similar to the crying of a human baby.
Females with cubs are often aggressive if the cubs are threatened. The activity pattern of black bears varies from area to area depending on a number of factors, including human activities.
In wilderness areas they are usually most active from dawn until dark, whereas bears in areas with high human activity may be mainly nocturnal to avoid contact with people. Of course, some individuals solicit human contact in hopes of obtaining a free meal. Like most animals, they have customary routes of travel, which they regularly follow as they move from one area to another. Old time bear hunters took advantage of this and frequently set their traps along these well used trails.
Black bears are naturally a shy and solitary animal but when its territory overlaps with that of man, the bear can be a nuisance and a danger. It is common for black bears to be trapped in populated areas and then relocated back into the wilderness at a considerable distance. Generally bears avoid human contact and are not normally agressive towards people. The only exceptions to this are so called "park bears" which are fed and lose their natural fear of humans.
In the autumn when days become shorter and temperatures cooler, bears begin to search for a denning site. A suitable site may be under a tree stump or overturned log, or in a hole in a hillside. Most dens are only large enough to accommodate a bear when it is curled up. Generally, females line their dens with grass, ferns, or leaves, but males usually do not. Females usually den earlier, males frequently wait until the first snowfall before entering a den.
Black bears are not true hibernators. They then lay down and go into a still or dormant stage, bears do not have to eat or eliminate waste and live off their reserves of fat. Fat may account for 40 percent of the bear's weight in late autumn. The heart and muscle actions slow down but body temperature is only slightly lower and does not go down as in a hibernating mammal.
Since black bears are not true hibernators, most bears bears will wake up and give chase if prodded sufficiently. If the weather becomes exceptionally warm some bears may wake up and wander around for short periods during the winter months. For some black bears in Northern Ontario, this dormant stage may last almost half of the year.
With the coming of spring and warmer weather, bears emerge from their dens and search for food. Most bears continue to lose weight during the early summer period until mid-July when quantities of berries start to become available. Black bears are omnivorous and will eat almost anything available. Most of their food is vegetation, especially in the late summer and autumn when berries and nuts are available.
Favourite fruits include blueberries, buffalo berries, strawberries, elderberries, saskatoons, black cherries, and apples. Acorns, hazelnuts, and beechnuts are other preferred foods.
Insects such as ants and grasshoppers rate high, and black bears will overturn logs, old stumps, and stones while foraging. Fish, small mammals, and occasionally birds are also on the black bear's menu. In the spring some bears may prey upon newborn moose calves, deer fawns, caribou calves, or elk calves.
Carrion of any sort is highly prized and its attractiveness to a bear increases with its degree of decomposition. Of course a tree containing honey is always a treat. Bears drink frequently and are usually found in the vicinity of water.
Bears growing up around populated areas, however, have come to associate man with food. Sightings at garbage dumps, logging camps and picnic grounds have become frequent. Black bears eat well in the summer and fall months to accumulate a heavy layer of fat to support them through a winter-long hibernation period.
Occasionally bears cause trouble when they prey on livestock or upset beehives in an apiary. Usually incidents of this type are caused by one or two individuals and the problem is solved by their removal. The black bear is the commonest bear found in Canada.
Common throughout Northwestern Ontario, primarily in forested areas; also swamps. Frequently at garbage dumps and logging camps. Black bears are capable of travelling great distances biologists who have live trapped bears and removed them 80 km or more from their home ranges have sometimes been surprised by the bears' return.
The home ranges of females are usually quite restricted. Ranges of adult males encompass several female ranges. Maximum numbers are probably attained in areas of mixed coniferous deciduous forests. Densities in favourable habitats are one bear to every square km.
Black bears are difficult to census because they are shy and secretive. A recent estimate of the continental population is , give or take ! Black bears are solitary animals, except for the close bond between females and cubs, and the pairing that takes place during the mating season. Male bears take five or six years to mature.
Male bears continue to grow until their seventh year; females cease growth somewhat earlier. Female bears usually begin breeding at about 3 to 5 years of age and usually mate every other year producing 1- 3 cubs. In captivity Males and females may attain sexual maturity between their third and fourth years. Mating is in June or early July, males seek out females and mate quickly. Male bears then leave the females or sows and have nothing to do with them the rest of the year.
Females give birth to their cubs during the winter in late January or early February while the sow is in her den. At birth they are cm long and weigh slightly more than g and are almost hairless. Compared to other mammals, this is very small relative to the mother's weight. All forums. Level Contributor. Report inappropriate content. Destination Expert for Algonquin Provincial Park. Re: Bears? Joel R. Ask a question. Sep 15, Recommendations Aug 21, oct trip to algonquin park Aug 17, More Algonquin Provincial Park Topics.
View Hotel. Arowhon Pines in Algonquin Park. Top questions about Algonquin Provincial Park. Can you suggest some things to do at Algonquin Provincial Park? Where can I find information about accomodations in and around Algonquin Park? What restaurants are in and around Algonquin Provincial Park? Is there a bus from Toronto to Algonquin Provincial Park? Do I need a passport?
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Of these, several are large, impressive mammals that many people hope to see while they are here — Moose, White-tailed Deer, Beaver, Black Bear,and Wolves usually top the list. Algonquin is unequalled in Ontario, perhaps even in North America, as a location for seeing Moose. The moose population in Algonquin is healthy and there are plenty of opportunities to see this majestic creature throughout the park. In the spring, the Highway 60 corridor through Algonquin is a great spot to find Algonquin moose.
The best time for moose-watching is in mid-May through July, when they move into open wetlands to feed. Keep your eyes peeled for bogs and wetlands, where moose tend to hang out.
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