What kinds of sounds does a black bear make?
The degree and nature of bear vocalizations depends on the species. Black bears are presumed to be more vocal than brown bears because black bears are a forest species and cannot see long distances. Other forest-dwelling bears, such as spectacled and sloth bears, are also quite vocal. Black bears communicate using a variety of sounds, as well as gestures, stances, and signs or marks. Behaviorists using human-habituated black bears are now learning more about these sounds and the ways in which bears communicate. Cubs “purr”, coo, moan, and mew. A bawling and wailing sound or gulps may indicate distress or nervousness. A variety of other bawls, woofs, moans, grunts, bellows, or other sounds may be emitted by bears of various ages and dispositions. Mechanical sounds such as huffing, blowing, snorting, chomping, foot stamping, and “jaw-popping” are commonly produced in response to threats or other stimuli. Despite the popular literature, black bears rarely growl, although some snared or tr
