Bears’ ability to open doors sparks curiosity and concern among those living near wildlife. Though not equipped with hands like humans, their physical capabilities and intelligence allow them to manipulate certain entryways. Understanding their methods and motivations can help people coexist more safely with bears.
Understanding Bear Dexterity
Bears possess a surprising level of dexterity, enabling them to interact with human structures. While their paws lack opposable thumbs, they can grasp objects using both paws. This allows them to effectively manipulate certain door mechanisms, particularly those with lever-style handles.
Bears frequently open unlocked doors, including sliding glass doors, by applying pressure or pushing down on lever handles. Though strong enough to break through windows or locked doors, bears prefer easier entry points, often driven by their powerful sense of smell for food. Circular doorknobs, however, are more challenging for bears to operate due to their lack of a grasping ability.
How Bears Learn and Adapt
Bears exhibit significant cognitive abilities, allowing them to learn and adapt to their environments, particularly when seeking food. They quickly learn through observation, trial and error, remembering successful strategies for accessing food rewards. This learning can be passed down, with mother bears teaching their cubs how to interact with human structures, including opening doors. Bears’ persistence and adaptability allow them to change behaviors to coexist with humans, sometimes becoming more active at night to avoid encounters. When a bear successfully accesses food from a property, it becomes habituated and is likely to return.
Protecting Your Property
To protect property from bears, securing entry points and removing attractants are effective strategies. Lock all bear-accessible windows and doors, including those on upper levels if a bear could climb to reach them. Replacing lever-style door handles with round doorknobs can significantly reduce a bear’s ability to gain entry.
Remove all potential food sources, such as trash, pet food, and birdseed, from outside areas and secure them in bear-resistant containers. Even items with a strong odor, like scented candles or air fresheners, can attract bears. For persistent issues, specialized bear-resistant doors or electric mats and fences can provide an added layer of security. Should a bear enter your yard, making loud noises can deter it.