The Black Bears in Tennessee's Smoky Mountains Aren't Hibernating

If you're planning a trip to Tennessee and you think you don't have to worry about bears because its wintertime, you would be mistaken!

Saturday Morning Cartoons Lied to Us

Thanks to all of the Saturday morning cartoons I watched as a Gen-X kid growing up, I thought all bears and other large animals hibernated in the winter. As it turns out, that is not true for the black bears of the Smoky Mountains.

Black Bears Do Not Actually Hibernate During Tennessee Winters

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park shared a post to Facebook that stopped my in my tracks and rewired my little "must be prepared for every situation" brain. Black bears don't actually hibernate.

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Black Bears Go Into a State Known as Torpor in the Winter

That's right. Black bears do not go into hibernation or deep sleep for winter. According to the post, they go into what is known as torpor.

Black bears in the Smokies aren’t true hibernators; instead, they go into torpor each winter. Torpor is a state in which their metabolism and temperature drop only moderately, so they can quickly awaken.

It's Not Unusual to Encounter a Black Bear in November or December

They go on to say that while they do typically "den up" during the cold months of November and December, it is not unusual to see a black bear wondering around in winter.

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Visitors to Tennessee Should Stay Vigilant When It Comes to Black Bears

Of course, this means that visitors to the area should remain vigilant while enjoying the natural beauty of Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. The National Park has three important pieces of advice for us all:

Keep your car locked. Bears have a tremendous sense of smell and a hungry bear will follow its nose for the food wrapper you left in your floorboard.
All trash should go into bearproof dumpsters. These keeps your trash from ending up where it doesn't belong - like on the ground or in the belly of a black bear.
Stay back. If you spot a black bear, they say you should keep a distance of at least 150 feet, and never, ever approach wildlife.

The next time you're planning a cabin stay or a camping trip in Tennessee, be sure you remember that unlike other wildlife, black bears don't hibernate, and you could encounter one - even in the winter.

[Source: Great Smoky Mountains National Park via Facebook]

You Can Stay In This Tennessee TreeHouse On Lookout Mountain

Welcome to an extraordinary retreat high above the treetops – a captivating Treehouse on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.

What was once a humble childhood idea has transformed into one of the most enchanting destinations for a distinctive stay in the heart of Tennessee. In our quest for unique accommodations, we stumbled upon a remarkable rentable treehouse in Tennessee, and we're thrilled to present a curated photo gallery showcasing all its remarkable features.

Join us as we unveil the charm and allure of this exceptional treetop haven. Here it is –

Treetop Hideaway is a secluded retreat nestled on Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This one of three retreat homes in the area is called the Wood Lily Treehouse.

Gallery Credit: treetophideaways.guestybookings.com