Black bears use sounds, body language, and scent-marking to express their emotions of the moment.

The main thing that helped me get over my fear of bears was learning their language—learning to interpret bear bluster in terms of their fear rather than my fear—learning that behaviors I thought were threatening were really expressions of their own apprehension.

- Lynn L. Rogers, Ph.D., 2007 

Amiable sounds are grunts and tongue clicks used by mothers concerned for their cubs and by bears approaching other bears to mate or play.  Cubs make a motor-like pulsing hum when they nurse or are especially comfortable. 

(hear sounds below) 

Bear Center researchers see bluster when bears are nervous and crowded but reluctant to leave because of cubs, food, or being cornered. 

The researchers usually give these bears space, out of respect, but find them easy to chase away.  These researchers have never had a blustery bear come after them and make contact.   Bluster is how bears talk about situations without fighting or retreating.  If bluster fails, bears have retreated in every situation these researchers have seen. 

(see video below) 

Stories of bears rushing at people are rare but do happen.  These are bears that make the news.  They are the unusually aggressive bears that create stories of narrow escapes.  The stories typically involve a mother with cubs in someone's yard for birdseed or garbage putting her ears back and rushing at someone who barely makes it into the back door.  No one is hurt, but it creates fear. 

(see video below) 

Bear Center researchers are still waiting to find out.  In over 40 years of capturing, observing, and confronting bears—and seeing the occasional fight—they have yet to hear their first growl. 

But how does that square with the many people who say they have heard black bears growl?

(see video below)