A black bear's diet

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Black bears here in South Carolina weight between 100 to 350 pounds, males are heavier than females. I was amazed to read at SCDNR’s site about these bears that 80% of their food is from berries, nuts, and other plant material. 20% is from insects and meat. With a great sense of smell, bears find food in trash cans, they eat seeds from bird feeders, and corn growing in fields. They prefer corn that is fresh, not dried, and often eat the whole cob. As we lose more open land to development, bears will be more likely to come into neighborhoods to find food. Don’t leave pet food outside, consider relocating bird feeders, and don’t leave food in cars, they can open unlocked doors.