Black Bearly Awake
As the forests of Ontario turn into fiery canvases of orange, red, and gold, one of the province’s most iconic animals is in a full-on feeding frenzy. September is go-time for the Black Bear (Ursus americanus), a month when eating isn't just an activity. It’s a matter of survival.
From gorging on wild blueberries to preparing for months of deep slumber, here’s how Ontario’s Black Bears spend their autumn and why they can’t stop eating this time of year.
Why September is the bear buffet
September marks a period known as hyperphagia. A fancy term for excessive eating. During this short window before winter, Black Bears increase their food intake dramatically to pack on fat before heading into torpor, a form of hibernation that can last up to half a year. We’re talking 20,000 calories per day.
And they don’t just snack, they forage for up to 20 hours a day, eating everything from berries and nuts to insects and the occasional small animal. But one food reigns supreme in Ontario’s late summer landscape: blueberries.
Blueberries: Ontario’s superfood for bears
Ontario’s wild blueberries ripen right around late summer and early fall. A perfect timing for hungry Bears. These tiny berries are packed with sugar, antioxidants, and energy, making them the ideal high-calorie snack for building fat reserves.
In areas like the Canadian Shield, where wildfires or logging have cleared land, blueberry bushes thrive and so do the bears that depend on them. It’s not unusual for a single Black Bear to consume tens of thousands of berries in a single day. They're essentially walking vacuum cleaners with a mission: eat, fatten up, and survive the winter ahead.
What is torpor and how is it different from hibernation?
You’ve probably heard that Bears hibernate, but that’s not entirely accurate. What they actually enter is called torpor, a state of carnivore lethargy. Here’s what happens during torpor:
Body temp drops (but not too low—about 30°C instead of 37°C)
Heart rate slows to just 8–10 beats per minute
Respiration drops, but they can still wake if disturbed
No eating, drinking, urinating, or defecating for months
What’s especially amazing is that bears don’t lose muscle mass or bone density during torpor. Their bodies preserve strength even while completely inactive. Something scientists are studying for possible medical breakthroughs.
Carnivore lethargy
Unlike Squirrels or Bats that enter deep hibernation, large predators like black bears use carnivore lethargy to coast through food-scarce seasons. This isn't a comatose slumber; it’s a slow-motion state of conservation.
They can even rouse themselves if a threat arises, especially mother Bears with cubs. All of this makes that September binge-fest all the more crucial. Without enough fat built up, the bear won’t survive the long, cold months in its den.
The Ontario ecosystem
From the boreal forests of the north to the mixed woodlands of the south, Ontario is a prime Black Bear country. In fact, the province is home to one of the largest Black Bear populations in North America.
Many forests in Ontario experience periodic fires or logging, which clear old trees and make space for early successional plants like blueberries and raspberries. These regenerating forests become natural buffets for Bears.
But climate change and urban expansion are starting to mess with that balance. Shifting weather patterns can affect berry timing and yields. Human development cuts off traditional Bear feeding routes. Drought or late frosts can ruin berry crops. When Bears can’t find enough food in the wild, they sometimes wander into neighborhoods leading to increased conflict with people.
Bear encounters in autumn
September is when Bears are most likely to show up in backyards, near garbage bins, and even on cottage decks. That’s not because they’ve lost fear, it’s because they’re desperate for calories. To avoid attracting hungry Bears during this hyperphagic period:
Keep garbage secured in bear-proof bins
Bring pet food indoors
Clean BBQ grills and outdoor cooking areas
Harvest fruit from trees and bushes as soon as it’s ripe
Never feed a bear intentionally or accidentally
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry often issues seasonal Bear warnings. If you live in or near Bear country, it's smart to stay informed and coexist safely.
From berries to beds
By mid-to-late October, most Black Bears in Ontario begin slowing down. The frantic feeding winds down, and bears retreat to dens in hollow trees, root masses, or even dug-out spots under rocks.
Thanks to their September feasts, they’ve stored enough fat to last them through a winter of not eating, drinking, or moving much at all.
Nature’s rhythms in action
There’s something deeply poetic about this cycle: lush forests offering up their fruit to feed a creature who must sleep through snow, ice, and bitter wind only to rise again in spring.
September might just seem like a beautiful month to us, but for Ontario’s Black Bears, it’s the most important time of the year. A time of urgency. A time of focus. A time to eat like your life depends on it because it does.
The next time you go blueberry picking, take a moment to look around. If you're lucky, and at a safe distance, you might just spot a Bear doing the same. Nature’s way of reminding us how interconnected we all are in this seasonal dance of survival.
