Albino black bears are an unusual species with cream or white-colored coats. They are also known as spirit bears or Kermode bears. Despite the fact that black bears are frequent in the Great Smoky Mountains, you probably won’t see a white bear like this one there. Read this article and you can learn more about albino black bears.
What Is An Albino Black Bear
It belongs to the black bear subspecies, also called the Kermode bear. In the 1990s, this bear was the subject of extensive research by zoologist Frank Kermode. As a result, this bear and his name are now inextricably linked.
The native Americans also refer to it as a ghost bear or spirit bear. In particular, they think the bear’s white color, which resembles snow or ice, has a spiritual connection to the past.
This bear’s white coloring serves as a reminder for people to appreciate the lush vegetation present today in place of the previous large glaciers.
Read more: Albino Whitetail Deer: Everything You Should Know
How Rare Is An Albino Black Bear
True albino bears are extremely rare, and because of their poor eyesight, they typically do not live as long as other bear species. It can be difficult to determine an exact population count.
When looking at this rare beauty, it’s simple to tell the difference between a true albino bear and the one that Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks discovered more than ten years ago.
However, if you look for information about an albino bear, you frequently find references to a Kermode or “spirit” bear. It’s important to note that the Kermode bear is actually not an albino bear.
However, the Kermode bear is also uncommon and deserving of special recognition.
Where Can You See Albino Black Bear
Only a small area of Canada’s British Columbia is home to the white-black bear. There is no other wild animal on the planet like it.
The only home of the spirit bear, a black bear subspecies, is the Great Bear Rainforest. The north and central coasts of British Columbia are home to this enormous ecosystem. The region is the largest known example of an ongoing temperate rainforest.
The Kermode bear has been spotted in some locations, more specifically the coastal islands near Hazleton and the Nass River.
How Many Spirit Bears Are Left In The World
Although research is being done to determine the true population, it is unclear how many Kermode bears exist in the wild.
According to Discover Wildlife reports, there are only about 400 spirit bears in the world. There may, however, be more than 1300 Kermode bears, according to some reports.
However, the likelihood of someone running into one is still extremely unlikely. The cubs are born in January or February, and they spend roughly 17 months with their mother. These bears have a 25-year life span in the forest.
What Threats Do Spirit Bears Face
Grizzlies pose the biggest danger to the Kermode bear. Other threats to the spirit bear’s existence include poaching and habitat loss caused by illegal tree cutting.
The grizzlies frequently travel great distances in search of food when the salmon population is declining. They occasionally invade the area where spirit bears live doing this.
Any other bear species are driven from their fishing locations by grizzlies because they are larger, stronger, and more aggressive. The destruction of the trees on which spirit bears rely to survive and give birth poses a serious threat.
Hunting is a significant threat. Black bear hunting is legal in British Columbia, but killing spirit bears is still prohibited by the law. The likelihood of giving birth to a new ghost bear decreases if a black bear with the rare gene is hunted.
Facts About Albino Black Bear
The Kermode Bear Is Not Actually An Albino Bear
Even though they are sometimes called albino bears, they are not because of the pigmentation in their skin and eyes. A single recessive gene that causes a lack of pigmentation in their fur is the cause of this light coloration.
How then can you tell the difference? A distinctive pink nose would be present on an albino bear. Additionally, spirit bears are not related to polar bears, in case you were wondering.
The Kermode Bears Are Generally In Canada
According to some sources, these bears only exist in the province of British Columbia. One in a million bears outside of that area, according to Bear.org, are white.
These bears, according to Discover Wildlife, are unique to the Great Bear Rainforest. Basically, you should call National Geographic representatives immediately if you believe you have seen one in the Smokies.
They Are A Very Rare Animal
Although it’s difficult to estimate their exact numbers, we do know that these bears are extremely uncommon. The recessive mutant gene is only present in approximately 1 in 10 bears, which is why they are so uncommon.
That may seem like a remote possibility, but positive assortative mating has led some researchers to hypothesize that black Kermode bears and white Kermode bears are more likely to mate than the opposite is true.
They Are Excellent Hunters
The majority of bears are thought to be skilled hunters. A white-furred bear, however, is sometimes thought to have a disadvantage.
But unlike their black bear counterparts, these bears mainly hunt salmon, and they can blend in with a bright sky better. Like their relatives with black fur, the bears also consume berries and insects.
It’s Illegal To Hunt One
In British Columbia, Kermode bears exhibit this trait, as do the majority of rare species. Unfortunately, black bears, which might have rare genes, can be hunted in some areas where they are native.
Of course, black bears are protected in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
They Are Revered By Native American Culture
According to numerous sources, Native Americans revere these bears as sacred animals. Legend has it that the ghost or spirit bear serves as a reminder of times gone by. In particular, it serves as a reminder of the white hue of snow and ice.