It allows them to reduce their body metabolism and survive with minimum energy spent. The main difference between hibernation and torpor is during torpor, the animal is able to wake up quickly to avoid danger, or if the opportunity exists exit the den to feed. Males are generally one-third larger than females but size can vary. Most of the bears in the state are in heavily forested, rugged and isolated areas. Researchers tracking black bears have even documented cases of bears changing colors during the year. A bear that attacks may be an extremely rare predatory bear that stalks prey or attacks from behind. (National . 1981). During spring and summer, bears eat around 5,000 calories a day, but in the fall, they are trying to eat up to 20,000 calories every day. They are omnivores and their diet varies depending on where they live. He is the 11, A person must be at least 18 years of age to hunt with (possess), High-powered rifles are must-haves when going out hunting. The current bear population of the state is estimated to be about 4,000 bears and that number is actually increasing. There have been reports of black bears in the Mountain Home area especially around Norfork Lake. The testosterone (sex hormone) levels of adult male black bears begin to rise. Bears choose many different kinds of dens, including hollow trees, under fallen trees, excavated mounds, or in nests under briar patches. Public safety may occasionally require that an individual bear be killed. If you are hiking in an area inhabited by bears here are some things that are recommended to do: Bear encounters in communities around Arkansas have become more common in recent years. In the 1930s it was estimated Arkansas had only fifty black bears left. They begin to eat sprouting grass, emerging herbs and young aspen leaves. They lower body temperature to near freezing but wake up every few days to raise body temperature to near normal, eat stored food, and eliminate body wastes. During this period, they do not move and they remain in one place. Newcomb views the bears as one of our states most valuable resources. The number of bears dropped drastically throughout the state. Some protein is used as well, but bears largely conserve their muscle mass and thus do not become appreciably weaker during hibernation. The Wildlife Division is in the midst of a large-scale project to assess nesting success, nest habitat selection, brood movement, and habitat use in mallard ducks. Research shows that manyproducts meant to keep deer, rabbits and other critters out of your gardenshave strong odors that can actually attract bears. She normally gives birth to two-to-three cubs every two years. If the bear has seen you, dont run, back away slowly. Many animals once thought to hibernate, including bears, really only enter a lighter sleep-state called torpor. The bears lethargy (sluggishness) ends. (Note, if you visit grizzly bear country, playing dead could work in certain instances. February: All bears continue to hibernate. They do seem to be fairly opportunistic about their food though. The parks service says the chances of being hurt by a grizzly bear are "approximately 1 in 2.7 million." Chipmunks do not sleep through the entire winter however, they wake every few days to feed on stored food and to urinate and defecate. READ MORE. . They can also move around, with mothers able to suckle their youngquite a contrast to the stiff, 'frozen' bodies of smaller hibernators. between the heartbeats of the animal. Bears in Kentucky usually den in rock cavities, hollow trees, or open dens in thick brush piles. It is said that they took the oil down the river as far as New Orleans. Ely, MN 55731, (218) 365-7879 Bears can sleep more than 100 days without eating, drinking, or passing waste! When Do Black Bears Come Out of Hibernation? Food is very scarce. David is the main protagonist of the Duck Season game. July: Cherries, blueberries, serviceberries, wild sarsaparilla berries and raspberries ripen and become major foods. Bears behave differently in different parts of the state. So many scientists now call bears Super Hibernators because they can fall into a deep sleep for four to six months without eating or drinking, wake up in the spring and head back out into the world. Other bears slowly begin to gain weight. GO HOGS! That data, applied across the state, concludes that Arkansas is home to just over 5,000 black bears. Here in wv, the bears that truly hibernate all winter are the sows going to have or have small cubs, the cubs are born weighing just oz. On a beautiful day in September, my brother-in-law went for hike along the Ozark Highlands Trail. Hunting without a rifle is like, Like humans, polar bears have a plantigrade stance: they walk on the soles of, Once downed by a hunter, well-trained tollers will retrieve the bird as well. Instead, snap a quick photo, note the location and immediately leave the area. Before hibernating, animals generally store fat to help them survive the winter. Bears enter a lighter state of sleep called torpor. Black bears of Arkansas do not really hibernate, rather they hunker down in formations of rocks and hollow trees where they sleep extensively during winter. They are also likely to be more scared of you than you are of them but if they feel threatened, they can also be very dangerous. Bear sprays potent formula leaves an oily residue behind. How Many Bears Are in Arkansas Currently? If you see a bear be sure and give it a clear escape route, If you see the bear before it sees you stand still and then slowly move away in the opposite direction. An amazing amount of olfactory information swirls in from the outside world. December: Hibernation continues. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. A males home range typically overlaps with multiple female home ranges. Unlike hibernation, torpor is not voluntary and often lasts for shorter periods of time. This usually happens in spring when cubs are involved. Are you interested in great food? Most of the bears in this state are present in heavily forested, isolated and rugged areas. Black bears are the only kind of bears in Arkansas. During hibernation, an animal's metabolic rate, heart rate, and respiratory rate slow down greatly. The cubs are born tiny, blind, toothless, and have a sparse layer of fur so they are incredibly vulnerable. Bears begin to become lethargic (sluggish) and some enter dens to begin hibernation. G. Gary Benson OP trapper Gary Benson OP trapper. Typically, mom will return to gather up her family when no people or pets are around, usually after dark. and learn what attracts bears and how to secure all attractants. During poor mast years, however, bears den later as it takes longer to acquire enough to make through the 3-4 month denning period in which bears do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate. Bears only overcome their fear of humans when they are hungry and cannot find a stable food source, or when they are allowed to feed on garbage and lose their natural fear of people. If you have a hobby farm or orchard, chickens, beehives or small livestock, electric fencing is your most reliable method of deterring bears. When you are at the Mount Magazine State Park, you shall find plenty of signs of a lookout for bears. Continue with Recommended Cookies. As he hiked a little west of Hare Mountain, he reflected on a story hed recently read of a bear attack in the same area in the early 1990s. The black bears in Arkansas are likely to be more scared of you than you are of them. Hard mast includes nuts and seeds such as acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts and pecans. Even if you see a brown bear in Arkansas it is still a black bear. May: Green plants begin to grow and trees begin to sprout leaves. Required fields are marked *. Today, the Zoo is home to two grizzly bear sisters, Ann and Nona. Bears travel farthest when food is harder to find, especially in early spring. The repopulation of black bears in the state is one of the most successful reintroductions of a large carnivore ever achieved. Myth: Black bears that wander into campsites, towns or cottage communities are dangerous. However, while hiking in Arkansas or enjoying some of the best camping in Arkansas, you should always take precautions and stay away from bears. Keep standing your ground until a bear leaves, and then calmly walk away. The bear population diminished quickly due to over-hunting and habitat loss. The exact time depends on the local conditions where a bear lives. Encountering Black Bears in Arkansas - FSA-9087 . A bears home range needs to be large enough to provide them with food, shelter, and mates. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. "Bears are very rarely cold," Cross explains, comparing the bear's coat to a warm down jacket. They have a unique process for recycling metabolic wastes into nutrients. Menstruation does not increase the likelihood of an attack by a bear. With warmer weather on the way, bear sightings are expected to start . Myth: It is dangerous to go into black bear country when menstruating. Male black bears typically weigh between 130 and 500 pounds, while smaller females weigh 90 to 350 pounds. Bears can reproduce from the ages of 5 to 9 years, depending on when they reach sexual maturity. As spring turns to summer, food is plentiful for black bears, but they face a new challenge: wasting energy in the heat of the day. ATTENTION TO RIGHT HOLDERS! 9/28/2021. When it comes to food, a bear goes into high alert, smelling particles so tiny we wouldnt be able to see them. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer. When areas experience widespread mast shortages or failures, bears must search even harder for other food sources. Ozark Highlands Trail Previously, he worked as a middle school science teacher passionate about teaching the next generation about our forest wildlife. Arkansas is home to black bears and we have thousands of them. Singing is a great way to let bears know youre coming down the trail and have a little fun, too. [emailprotected], Help support the North American Bear Center. Black bears are excellent tree climbers, far better than you. The mother bear licks them clean, keeps them warm and moves into positions to make it easier for them to nurse. During their active period of the day, animals in torpor maintain a normal body temperature, breathing and heart rate. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Only in Arkansas. Bears prefer their natural foods, but some may overcome fear of humans if their explorations are rewarded with unsecured trash, high-calorie pet food, or greasy barbecue grills. They do hunker down in rock formations and hollow trees and sleep a lot in the winter. bear, (family Ursidae), any of eight species of large short-tailed carnivores found in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Black bears are mostly afraid they will be attacked. 1926 Highway 169 Not all black bears are blacktheir fur can range in color from pure white to a cinnamon color to very dark brown or black. Pre-settlement there was thought to be over 50,000 bears in Arkansas, but then numbers dwindled down to just 50 bears in the 1930s. Do Black Bears Hibernate - The Real Reason Some Black Bears Don't Fully Hibernate It's a common myth that all black bears spend the whole winter sleeping It's a common myth that all black bears spend the whole winter sleeping In fact, bears in the Smoky Mountains are not true hibernators Although they mostly live in trees, they move down to the ground to hibernate. Bears hibernate primarily because of the lack of food in the winter. Remember, bears are commonly thought to have among the very best senses of smell in the animal kingdom. Yes, bears hibernate in Arkansas. Black bear cubs are generally born in January. Bears can actually turn their pee into protein. Bears that eat a lot of non-natural human foods tend to die earlier. March: Hibernation continues. Bear hunting is closely monitored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the state is divided into seven hunting zones with specific dates for hunting in each zone. Most bears hibernate or den during the winter months. Its rare for mother black bears to attack a person in defense of cubs, because her cubs can climb trees when they feel threatened. Biologists estimate approximately 20,000 black bears currently reside in our state. Posts: 170. Arkansas only has black bears but not all black bears are black. A bears body is a model of recycling. Little Rock, Conway, Searcy, Benton, Heber Springs, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, West Memphis, Batesville, Mountain View, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, Arkadelphia. You should keep bear resistant trash containers in future so that you do not end up encouraging bears to accustom to people. 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