Bears are used as symbols in different cultures around the world. It’s no wonder that they’ve captivated humans for so long with their impressive traits and jaw-dropping majesty. Bears live in a few places around the United States and come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Let’s see if there are bears in your State.
1. Alaska
Alaska is one of the only states with three different kinds of bears. Polar bears come to the northern coast off of the sea ice they call home for much of the year, and it is one of the only places where people can see them in the wild. Alaska also has 30,000 grizzly bears, more than any other state in the U.S. The state also has a black bear population.
2. California
Black bear populations in California are high, with an estimated 40,000 roaming the state. They feed on local plants and sometimes animals. They are attracted to suburbia when locals leave their trash out, so make sure to secure it so no curious black bears come looking for food.
3. Maine
Black bears keep the local population of plants in check all over Maine, and their numbers are estimated to be more than 30,000. They have one of the biggest black bear populations on the East Coast of America.
4. Oregon
Oregon has a thriving black bear population, and it’s the only kind of bear that roams the state. Oregon black bears are good swimmers and climbers, which helps them catch prey and eat plants. They like to inhabit streams and forests.
5. Washington
In Washington, black bears typically weigh around 100-300 pounds. The state is also home to grizzlies, but they are much more elusive and inhabit the Selkirk Mountains and Northern Cascades. A few grizzlies have also been documented in the Okanogan Highlands.
6. Idaho
Black bears number more than 20,000 in Idaho and prefer to dwell in deciduous-coniferous forests with plenty of shrubbery and other plant-based food sources. Both black bears and grizzly bears roam the state in different parts of the wild.
7. Wisconsin
Black bears are the only species of bear found in Wisconsin and like to dwell in the northern part of the state. The rising population of around 24,000 is kept in check by organized culling by the government. This ensures that incidents between bears and humans are kept to a minimum.
8. North Carolina
The black bears in North Carolina hibernate for the winter and like to come out of their dens in March when it gets warmer if food sources are available. Black bears are elusive and would typically run away from people rather than attack.
9. Virginia
The black bears in Virginia number around 17,000 and are unique in that they are a darker shade than most others in western states. These black bears can have a brown nose and sometimes a white chest blaze. Black bears are found in 92 of the state’s 98 counties.
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