•Black bears are solitary and reclusive, except during the breeding season and when females are with their cubs.

•Male and female black bears without cubs are solitary wanderers.

•Black bears are crepuscular - meaning, they are active in the early morning and at dusk. Some bears are active at night in order to avoid people or other bears.

•Mid-day they commonly bed at the base of large evergreens (pines and hemlocks) where they find shade from the sun.

•Standing black bears are not preparing to charge; they are looking around and smelling whatever has peeked their curiousity.

•Charging bears remain on all fours with head down. They perform a series of mock attacks before turning and running away from the perceived threat.

•Black bears make very little noise except when threated.

•Although they exceptional climbers, these abilities tend to decline with age.

•Females are highly unlikely to attack people in defense of their cubs. Bear researchers often capture screaming cubs in the presence of otherwise blustery mothers who do not attack.

•The defense of cubs is a grizzly bear trait.

•Black bears mark their territories by rubbing their bodies against trees and clawing at the bark.

•They communicate with each other through their scent.

Signs in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park