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Where do black bears live in south carolina – where do black bears live in south carolina
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The bear found in South Carolina is known as the black bear Ursus americanus. It has black or dark brown fur covering its body and a lighter tan or brown snout. There are about known black bears statewide. About of these bears live in the mountainous areas and about live in the coastal areas.
Black bears are not as large as brown bears or grizzly bears and males typically weigh about lbs. However, the largest black bear ever recorded in SC was lbs. The life expectancy of black bears is around 18 years in the wild. They are able to reproduce starting at around 3 years old and are usually done growing by about 5 years old. These bears are great climbers, points on mixed school is better than single school good eyesight and an excellent sense of smell.
This sense of smell can lead them to bird feeders, food left outdoors and unfortunately, trash cans. Black bears are typically shy creatures though bear sightings have been on the rise due to habitat loss in SC. Many areas of the state have a boom of new construction that is forcing bears out of their traditional habitats and into neighborhoods where they might be seen as a nuisance. Black bears are not true hibernators like other bear species. Instead of hibernation, they enter a semi-inactive state called denning.
With the warmer and more temperate climate, black bears den for shorter periods and sleep for shorter periods than bears who hibernate. In particularly warm years, the temperatures might where do black bears live in south carolina – where do black bears live in south carolina get low enough in some areas of the southeast United States for black bears to den at all, and they remain active all winter long.
While this is uncommon, it does happen when winters are particularly warm and mild. Black bears are majestic creatures but they can sometimes become a nuisance when they wander into people-inhabited spaces.
If you are having trouble with a bear in your area or yard, Pee Dee Wildlife Control can help by removing and where do black bears live in south carolina – where do black bears live in south carolina the bear to a more appropriate area. Uncategorized January 2, 0 Likes by admin. Never leave pet food outdoors 2. Clean and store grills in a garage or shed 3. Secure food, garbage and recycling and store inside a garage or shed or use bear-proof containers 4.
Never feed or approach bears 5. Always be bear aware and avoid getting between a mother bear and her cubs 6. Remove bird feeders when bears are actively feeding for winter typically September through November 7. Never confront or try to scare a bear away 8. Never run away from a bear. Instead stand tall and raise your arms to appear as big as possible, make loud noises and slowly back away Black bears are majestic creatures but they can sometimes become a nuisance when they wander into people-inhabited spaces.
Black Bears – Columbia Metropolitan Magazine – Experiences
“One can be found in the mountains and the second in the northern coastal plain, which includes Horry, Georgetown, Marion, Williamsburg. Things have since changed. According to the DNR, South Carolina is now home to approximately black bears. About live in the mountains and upper Piedmont.
Where do black bears live in south carolina – where do black bears live in south carolina. Wildlife – Species
See Regulations. Complete hunting regulations. Description Black bears are the largest land mammals in South Carolina. They are covered in a long thick fur that can vary in color. The most common color phase is black or dark brown with light brown snout.
They have a broad head with rounded ears set well back on the head. The rump of a black bear is higher than the front shoulders, and they do not have the prominent shoulder hump of the Grizzly and Brown bears.
They have good eyesight and an incredible sense of smell. Black bears are excellent climbers and good swimmers and can be found in a variety of habitats. Average Size Male black bears are generally larger than females.
An average adult male black bear can weigh between – pounds while the female averages between pounds. However, when food is plentiful, older bears have been documented at weights above pounds. The largest black bear recorded in South Carolina was pounds. Life Expectancy The average life expectancy is 18 years in the wild. Black bears reach sexual maturity by 3 years and obtain most of their growth by 5 years. Preferred Habitat Typically, black bears require large expanses of forest dominated by a diversity of mast-producing hardwoods and shrubs intermixed with early successional vegetation such as blackberries, pokeberries, etc.
Wetlands such as swamps and bays also provide good habitat. However, black bears are adaptable. As long as they can find adequate food sources and have suitable den sites, black bears can be found in a variety of habitats. Range Black bears can be found throughout North America. In South Carolina, there are two resident populations of black bears, one in the mountains and upper piedmont and one in the coastal plain. Home range for bears must include den sites, food, water and cover for adults and young.
Typically male bear home ranges can be 18 to square miles, while home ranges for females are smaller, around square miles. A shortage of natural food sources and lack of rainfall can cause home ranges to vary greatly. Black bears will travel large distances to find adequate food sources. In addition, juvenile bears, especially the males, must disperse to find new home territories. Dispersing juvenile bears have been sighted in many counties in South Carolina.
These bears are usually transient and do not stay in the area for long. Black bears are opportunistic and will feed on whatever is readily available.
Their natural diet consists of berries, nuts and plant matter over 80 percent as well as insects and meat less than 20 percent. Bears use their incredible sense of smell to find alternative food sources such as garbage, bird feeders, outdoor pet food, agricultural crops, etc. Black bears reach sexual maturity by 3 years of age. Peak mating season for bears is June and July.
Males are territorial and will mate with as many females as they can. Young males are often driven away from their home territories by larger males during breeding season. Once the female is bred, she will turn her attention to feeding frequently and building fat reserves. Gestation is days and cubs are born in January or February while the female is hibernating.
Litters usually consist of two to four cubs. Cubs are dependent on their mother for food and protection until they reach 18 months of age. Wildlife – Species. See Regulations Complete hunting regulations. Helping people live responsibly with Black Bears.
Student information on Black Bears. Food Habits Black bears are opportunistic and will feed on whatever is readily available. Reproduction Black bears reach sexual maturity by 3 years of age.