Bear (Ursus americanus) Behaviour & Communication

• General Information
• Females with Cubs
• Bear Communication with Other Bears and Humans
• Human Encounters with Bears

General Information
Black bears in Nova Scotia are generally shy, retiring creatures that fade into the surrounding forest when they hear the approach of any humans. They have sensitive hearing which allows them to move quietly downwind if they hear any noises that warrant investigation. They generally prefer to seek food away from humans but if food items become scarce, they may become habituated to food supplied by humans (i.e garbage dumps, recycling boxes, etc.). Attacks by black bears are rare in North America, and to date, there have not been any maulings in Nova Scotia. There have been 56 deaths across North America attributed to black bears since the turn of the last century. For the most part, these attacks took place in remote areas of North America by predatory black bears that were not accustomed to being around people. Compare this to the hundreds of thousands of encounters that black bears have had with people where no injuries have occurred. Talking while travelling through the woods will alert a nearby bear to the presence of humans. It is also beneficial to carry a sturdy walking stick. If hikers or outdoor workers are still concerned about traveling in bear areas throughout Nova Scotia, they can carry air horns or bear spray for deterring bears. Bear bells can also be worn but their use as a bear deterrant has not been proven.

Females with Cubs
One big misconception that most people have is black bear mothers with cubs are very dangerous. Grizzly bear females with young can be very ferocious when the need arises, but this is not the case with black bears. Most of the time, black bear females with cubs exhibit "tree and flee" behaviour when threatened. The cubs sit quietly at the top of the tree until the female comes back for them, after the danger has passed. On occasion, the female doesn't flee but will sit at the base of the tree in which the cubs are sitting. Eventually, she gives them a verbal signal which lets the cubs know it is safe to come down. The cubs then decide when they want to descend the tree.

Bear Communication with Other Bears and Humans

Vocalizations - Black bears are not animals that vocalize often, but they do have some sounds that they make. Most of their vocalizations sound like grunts, moans or loud blowing which they use when interacting with other bears, or on occasion with humans. Cubs have a sound of contentment, similar to the purring of a cat, that they use when nursing. Cubs also have a distress call which sounds like loud bawling.

Body Language - When an adult bear is nervous or afraid it will blow loudly, often combining this behaviour with teeth snapping. At the same time, the animal may lunge forward and slap the ground or a nearby object. Sometimes the bear may blow and bluff charge while squaring its lips. This behavior, which can be repeated, is the sign of a scared bear.

Eye Contact - Some researchers say that if a black bear is encountered in close proximity, initial eye contact should be made with the bear so that the person can read the bear's intentions. Look away from the bear if the bear appears threatened in any way (often indicated by ears laid flat against the head). While looking at the bear to determine its mood, back up quietly. This gives the bear room to make a hasty retreat.

Ear Position - A bear's ears can be an indicator of mood, also. A bear that feels threatened will usually flatten the ears back against its head. An aggressive bear having an altercation with another bear often displays ears in a forward position. Ears that are straight up are generally the sign of a bear with a normal temperament.

Scent Marking - Black bears are solitary animals, with the exception of sows with cubs, yet they have developed an intricate method of communicating with one another through various means, such as scent-marking vegetation. This behaviour broadcasts to other bears in the vicinity the status and sex of each animal, and during the mating season, the breeding condition of females. Interestingly, when a major food source is available, such as a field of ripe huckleberries, bears will communicate amongst themselves the site location. Large numbers of animals can congregate in these areas to share the bounty. Once the food is gone, the animals then disperse and return to their home ranges. Black bears will rub up against trees, straddle smaller shrubs and saplings, and arch their backs to mark overhanging branches, in order to leave scent. The males, in particular, will also leave urine marks. Female black bears have long vulva hair that is usually moist or wet with urine. This longer hair helps facilitate any markings that they make. During the breeding season, both sexes will do genital drags on the ground or on logs.

Tree Marking - Black bears also communicate by marking trees with their scent. They will stand on their two back legs and rub their back and shoulder area on trees in order to deploy scent and hair. Tree marking is done by bears of all ages. Often if a suitable tree can't be found, a bear will use a power pole or signpost to mark. At the same time, they may bite and claw trees, a behaviour particularly prevalent by males during the breeding season, but done at other times of the year by both sexes. Bears mark trees in order to let other bears know they have passed through this particular area.

Bear Foot Impressions - Black bears tend to walk in their own tracks, so an area that is frequented by bears can have a trail of sunken footprints beaten into the forest floor from repeated and long-term use. They will also mark prominent bear sites such as a bite tree with sunken prints around the site. Researchers who have followed bears to record their daily activity have found that the bears will do a stiff-legged walk at these strategic locations, in order to enhance the marks left in the ground.