Maine’s vast, forested landscape is home to a thriving population of large mammals, yet the state hosts only a single bear species. This animal is the largest land carnivore in Maine’s ecosystem and has successfully adapted to the remote wilderness and the fringes of human development across the region. This article explores the identity, habitat, life cycle, and management of the Pine Tree State’s only bear.
Identifying Maine’s Sole Bear
The only bear species inhabiting Maine is the American Black Bear, scientifically known as Ursus americanus. No other species, such as the Brown Bear (Grizzly) or Polar Bear, is found in the state. The American Black Bear is the smallest of the three North American bear species.
Adult males typically weigh between 250 and 600 pounds and measure five to six feet from nose to tail, standing about 40 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are smaller, generally weighing 100 to 400 pounds and measuring four to five feet long. While they are usually black in Maine, they often possess a brown muzzle and occasionally a white patch of fur, called a “blaze,” on their chest. A key feature distinguishing this species is its straight facial profile and the absence of the pronounced shoulder hump seen on the larger Brown Bear species.
Where Black Bears Live and Thrive in Maine
Maine has one of the largest black bear populations in the lower 48 states, estimated at 20,000 to 36,000 individuals across the state. This large population is largely due to the extensive, dense forest cover that provides both protection and food sources.
The highest densities occur in the remote northern, western, and eastern parts of Maine, particularly in vast, undeveloped tracts of wilderness. These areas offer the seclusion and continuous habitat the bears prefer for foraging and denning. Populations are notably less common in the southern and central-coastal regions, where human settlement and habitat fragmentation are more prevalent. Even so, the American Black Bear is highly adaptable and can survive near human development wherever sufficient tree cover offers escape routes and foraging opportunities.
Diet, Behavior, and Hibernation Cycles
The American Black Bear is an omnivore, meaning its diet consists of both plant and animal matter, though it is primarily vegetarian. Their feeding habits shift throughout the year based on seasonal availability. Spring diets rely on early green grasses, clover, and the buds of hardwood trees. Summer brings an abundance of berries and fruits, while the fall is dominated by mast crops like beechnuts and acorns. They supplement their diet with insects, including ants, bees, and their larvae, along with occasional small mammals, fish, or carrion.
In the fall, bears enter a period of excessive eating called hyperphagia, where they may consume up to 20,000 calories daily to build up the fat reserves needed for winter. This behavior is directly tied to their winter survival strategy, which is not true hibernation but a state of deep sleep known as torpor.
During torpor, which typically lasts from late November to March or April, the bear’s metabolic rate drops by about 50 percent, and its heart rate slows significantly. Unlike true hibernators, their body temperature does not drop drastically, and they can be roused more easily. They do not eat, drink, or excrete waste during this period, living entirely off their stored fat. Females also give birth to one to four cubs inside the den in January or February, nursing them until they emerge in the spring.
Coexisting with Maine’s Black Bears
As the black bear population remains robust, interactions with humans become more frequent, particularly when bears are drawn to human-provided food sources. Preventing conflict begins with removing common attractants from residential areas, as bears are intelligent and quickly learn where to find an easy meal. Securing all garbage in sturdy containers or a secure structure until the morning of collection is necessary. Bird feeders should be removed entirely between April 1 and December 1, as the seeds are a high-calorie reward that habituates bears to human yards. Pet food, livestock feed, and outdoor grills should also be stored or cleaned thoroughly after use.
If a bear enters a yard, make it feel unwelcome by making noise, such as yelling or banging pots, but always from a safe distance, like inside the home. If an encounter occurs in the woods, stay calm and never run, as this may trigger a chase response. Speak in a calm, assertive voice and slowly back away while making yourself appear larger by raising your arms. For nuisance animals or property damage, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) can offer guidance on attractant removal and management strategies.