Black bears live and breed in Worcester County, northern Middlesex County, and west to the Berkshires. Bears, mostly young males and some breeding females, are living in other eastern Massachusetts communities along Route 495. Dispersing young bears and wandering males often find themselves east of Route 495.
Do grizzly bears live in Massachusetts?
Black bears are the only species that live in Massachusetts. But black bears can be brownish, which can be confusing because grizzly bears are also called brown bears. The larger, scarier grizzly (brown) bears do not live anywhere nearby the closest population is 2,300 miles away in Yellowstone National Park.
How many bears are there in Massachusetts?
4,500 There are about 4,500 black bears in Massachusetts, according to the state.
What to do if you see a bear Massachusetts?
Eliminate or Enclose Food Sources If a black bear visits a property and finds no food it will most likely move on. If it finds food and the food continues to be available, the bear will frequent the area time and time again.
Are black bears aggressive?
In most cases, black bears are relatively shy, only acting aggressively as a last resort. Nevertheless, the most effective way to avoid a bear attack is by preventing encounters in the first place. Just because black bears can be less dangerous than other large carnivores doesn’t mean fatal attacks don’t happen.
Where is Boo Boo bear now?
The bear’s remains were found Tuesday, but wildlife officials say Boo Boo the Black Bear died from its injuries after being hit by a car on June 24 in Marion, Mass. A popular black bear that had been spotted in several Massachusetts communities has been found dead, wildlife officials announced Thursday.
Are there bears in Salem MA?
SALEM City residents should steer clear and call police if they see the black bear first spotted Tuesday morning milling about back yards of East Third Street and moving north, Chief J.T. Panezott said. First time in 32 years that I’ve ever seen a bear in Salem, he said.
Are black bears more active at night?
They occasionally will kill young deer or moose calves. Behavior: Most bears become active a half-hour before sunrise, take a nap or two during the day, and bed down for the night an hour or two after sunset. Some bears are active mainly at night to avoid people or other bears.
What to do if a black bear approaches you?
Never run away from or approach him. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a coat. Make as much noise as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking devices. If the bear approaches and you have bear spray, spray the bear as he approaches.
Are there mountain lions in Massachusetts?
There is no evidence of a reproducing mountain lion population in Massachusetts. … Today, mountain lions are found in the mountainous regions of the West. There is also a small population in southern Florida. Despite this fact, Massachusetts residents continue to report mountain lion sightings.
What months are black bears most active?
If you want to give yourself the best chance to see an active bear, September and October are the best months. Bears are most active during this period, preparing for their lengthy hibernation. Some of the most popular activities for bears include snoozing, wandering, and fishing.
Are there wolves in Massachusetts?
The wild gray wolf was extinct in Massachusetts by 1840, although one was recorded in Berkshire County in 1918, and was believed to have escaped from captivity. There is a population in Quebec and suitable habitat for range expansion in the remote parts of Maine, New Hampshire and New York.
What time of day are bears active?
Bears are usually active from dawn to dusk, but they may be seen any time of day or night. Bears in many places of high human use have become nocturnal in order to avoid people.
Where Do bears sleep?
They usually dig a den which they may use for several consecutive years. Natural caves or rock fissures sometimes also serve as retreats. Before the winter sets in, the bears cushion their dens nicely with grass, leaves, ferns, moss and lichen.
What time of year do black bears mate?
summer Black bear mating season occurs during the summer, but the embryos do not begin to develop until the mother bear enters her den. Cubs are born in the middle of the winter denning period, usually between mid-January and early February.
What smell do bears hate?
Bears Dislike the Scent of Anything Pine Related Including Pine Oil. While bears love anything sweet (yes, even honey) they have often been found to steer clear of anything pine-scented. Bears dislike the scent of any pine-scented cleaners that contain pine.
Where Do bears sleep at night?
It is not uncommon for male polar bears and polar bears that are not pregnant or with young to remain active through periods of low food availability. Bears in zoos will not hibernate if food is available, though they will slow down and sleep more than usual. Some zoo bears are fed year round, and do not hibernate.
Can I hug a bear?
Bears are protective of their families, especially of their cubs. They travel and play together and give each other bear hugs. … Hugging your teddy bear may be the closest thing to hugging a real bear, but at least you know it’s a safe hug.
Are there bears in South Shore Massachusetts?
A bear spotted in Scituate has now been seen all over the South Shore of Massachusetts. … As the bear population grows in the western and northern parts of the state, it’s becoming more common for them to make their way east of Interstate 495 and as far as Route 128.
What does Boo bear mean?
slender women who have huge natural breasts.
What is in the bear family?
Bears are mammals that belong to the family Ursidae. There are eight species: Asiatic black bears (also called moon bears), brown bears (which include grizzly bears), giant pandas, North American black bears, polar bears, sloth bears, spectacled bears (also called Andean bears), and sun bears. …
Are there bears in Gloucester MA?
Bears are fairly common in western Massachusetts, northern Middlesex County and Worcester County. But they are expanding into the Route 495 corridor, where young male bears have periodically sparked 911 calls from residents unaccustomed to seeing bears.
Are there bears in Essex County Massachusetts?
Over the past few years, she said, there have been bears seen in different parts of Essex County. … The black bear population has increased in Massachusetts, from about 100 in the early 1970s to 3,000 in 2005, according to MassWildlife. Most are in the western and cental part of the state.
Are there coyotes in Salem MA?
Coyote sightings have surged in recent weeks as mating season is in full swing. … But Don Famico, the animal control officer in Salem, suspects some of the uptick in coyote activity is related to a glut of construction projects occurring in the region.
Which type of bear is the most aggressive?
Grizzly Grizzly and polar bears are the most dangerous, but Eurasian brown bears and American black bears have also been known to attack humans. Some species depredate livestock on occasion, and some bears, such as Asiatic and American black bears, may destroy fruit or other crops, especially corn.
Can dogs sense bears?
It’s true that many dogs can smell bears and will react accordingly. From barking to whimpering, or simply sniffing around, there are numerous tell-tale signs that your dog is aware of a bear in the area.
What do bears do all day?
They nap and relax during the day and spend the nighttime looking for food. When autumn hits, bears see it as a signal that they need to stock up on food before the winter begins. Gone are those summer naps and, instead, bears spend up to 20 hours a day in the autumn eating.
Which bear Do you play dead?
Play dead: If the brown bear continues to charge at you, play dead. Grizzlies attack when they feel surprised or threatened, so they tend to stop attacking when there’s no longer a threat. However, don’t just get up and run away once the bear leaves.
What are bears scared of?
To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
Can you outrun a bear?
A human cannot outrun a bear if being chased. … The only scenario where a human might out-sprint a bear is if a polar bear was chasing Usain Bolt. A human can, however, outrun a bear in terms of distance. If a human was hunting or chasing a bear, they could run the bear to the point of exhaustion and catch it.
