There are no established populations of Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) in Tennessee. The state’s wilderness areas are home to a thriving bear population, but they belong to a single, different species. The bears found within Tennessee are exclusively the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). This distinction is important for wildlife management and for anyone recreating in the state’s wild spaces.
Current Range of Grizzly Bears
The current geographic distribution of the Grizzly Bear is confined to the western regions of North America, placing Tennessee well outside its range. In the United States, the species is isolated to specific ecosystems primarily in the Northern Rockies, including Alaska, western Canada, and fragmented areas of the continental US. The largest populations in the lower 48 states are concentrated around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, which includes parts of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Historically, the Grizzly Bear’s range was vast, stretching from Alaska to Mexico and as far east as the Great Plains, but this changed dramatically with western expansion. The Appalachian region has not been a part of the Grizzly Bear’s territory for centuries. The species requires vast, undisturbed wilderness, a habitat type that is now largely restricted to northern and western states and territories.
Tennessee’s Only Bear Species
The American Black Bear is the only species of bear found in Tennessee. After reaching all-time lows in the mid-20th century, conservation efforts have been successful, and the population is now considered robust. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency estimates a population of between 5,500 and 6,000 black bears in the state, a number that is slowly increasing.
The primary habitats for these bears are the protected mountain areas of East Tennessee, specifically within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone is home to a high concentration of bears, with an estimated population of over 1,500, or roughly two bears per square mile. Bears are also found in the Cumberland Plateau, forming two distinct populations—one along the Tennessee-North Carolina border and another along the Tennessee-Kentucky border.
The creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest in the 1930s was a major factor in restoring the bear population in Tennessee. Because black bears are highly mobile and cross state lines, Tennessee’s population is managed as part of the larger Southeastern Black Bear Population, which includes neighboring states like North Carolina and Kentucky.
Key Differences Between the Two Species
The Grizzly Bear and the American Black Bear possess several distinct physical differences that allow for clear identification. The most noticeable difference is the prominent shoulder hump on the Grizzly Bear, a mass of muscle used for digging that is absent on the Black Bear. A Black Bear’s highest point, when standing on all fours, is typically its middle back or rump.
Another distinguishing feature is the length and curvature of their claws. Grizzly Bears have long, gently curved claws, measuring between two and four inches, which are adapted for digging up roots and prey. In contrast, Black Bears have shorter, more sharply curved claws, which are ideal for climbing trees. Finally, the facial profile of a Grizzly Bear is often described as “dished” or concave, while the Black Bear has a straighter, more dog-like profile.