The Black Bears of Connecticut Should Start Waking Up Over the Next Month

As much as we all like to moan about how cold it is right now here in Connecticut, here's one good thing about temps in the teens - At least it will keep the angry bears of Connecticut in their dens hibernating for a couple more weeks.

Black bears are coming to Connecticut more often in the 2020's, according to the Connecticut DEEP's Wildlife Sighting Public Viewer, 61 black bear sightings have been confirmed in Connecticut so far in 2025. Most of the confirmed sightings have been recorded in Litchfield County, with a few also reported in Northern Hartford County, and a single report of one in North Haven. But, aren't black bears supposed to be hibernating at this time of year? Yes, and no.

Black bears are not true hibernators, but their heart rate and breathing slow during the denning season, which is right now in Connecticut. If there is little to no snow on the ground, black bears tend to wander. Baby black bears that were born in December or January are nursing away on their mother in their warm den right, according to ct.gov, but mom may get a bit hungry. Male black bears are more likely to wander out of the den to start foraging, while female stay warm with their newborn cubs.

In the past three years since 2021 black bear attacks on humans and pets have been reported in Cheshire, Avon, Cornwall, Morris, and Litchfield. Male black bears can weigh 250-550 pounds, while females range from 150-300. Stay inside lady bears, it's icy and cold until March.