Black Bear Facts

Of the three bear species (black, brown, and polar bears) in North America, only the black bear lives in Virginia. Shy and secretive, the sighting of a bear is a rare treat for most Virginians. However, bears are found throughout most of the Commonwealth, and encounters between bears and people are increasing. A basic understanding of bear biology and implementing a few preventative measures will go a long way to helping make all your encounters with bears positive.

  • In Virginia, most black bears live in the mountains and the Dismal Swamp, but they are frequently found in all counties except a few in the east.
  • Black bears are typically crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn), but can be active any time of day.
  • Female black bears have smaller home ranges (1 to 50 square miles) than males (10 to 300 square miles).
  • Black bears are generally solitary, except sows caring for cubs. Adult bears may be seen together during the summer breeding period and occasionally yearlings will remain together for a period of time.
  • Bears are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, eating mostly plants in the spring, berries and insects in the summer, and nuts and berries in the fall. Bears have been observed capturing live animals, both wild and domestic. Carrion (dead animals) is often a part of a bear's diet. Predation of livestock is not common, but is reported each year.
  • Bears may feed up to 20 hours per day, accumulating fat (energy) prior to winter denning. An adult male can gain over 100 pounds in a few weeks when acorn production is heavy.
  • Depending on the time of year, adult female black bears commonly weigh between 90 to 250 pounds. Males commonly weigh between 130 to 500 pounds. The largest known wild black bear was from North Carolina and weighed 880 pounds.
  • Depending on weather and food conditions, black bears enter their winter dens between October and January. Bears will not eat, drink, urinate or defecate while denning. Bears are easily aroused and may be active during warm winter days. They emerge from their dens from mid-March to early May.
  • In Virginia, most bears den in large, hollow trees. Other den types include fallen trees, rock cavities, brush piles in timber cut areas, open ground nests, and man-made structures (culvert pipe).
  • Female black bears mature as early as three years old. Breeding occurs from mid-June to mid-August, and cubs are born from early January to mid-February.
  • Female black bears usually breed every other year as cubs are raised by their mother for about 1½ years. When the mother is ready to breed again, she will send her cubs to fend for themselves during the summer months when food is usually abundant. Always hungry, these yearling bears, particularly the males, will seek easy sources of food. The ability to access human related food sources can spell trouble for these bears.
  • First-year cub mortality rates are about 20%, primarily due to predation (foxes, coyotes, dogs, bobcats, other bears) or abandonment by their mother. Adult bears do not have natural predators except humans.
  • Bear habitat must include food, water, cover, denning sites and diverse habitat types. Although bears are thought to be a mature forest species, they often use a variety of habitat types, including old fields and clear cuts or other timber harvest areas.
  • Bears may live up to 30 years in the wild. The oldest documented wild bear in Virginia was 26 years of age when it was killed.