Video: Chunky Black Bear Squeezes Himself Under Tahoe Porch

Earlier this month, South Lake Tahoe resident Toogee Sielsch captured an all-too-relatable video of a sleepy black bear crawling into bed. The footage shows the bear belly-down, wriggling across the ground beneath a porch to get to his favorite spot.

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In his original post, Sielsch writes that the bear likely weighs upwards of 600 pounds. Despite that size, he was able to squish through a crawlspace that’s just over two feet high. According to Sielsch, the bear, known as G101, has spent the last three years in the South Lake Tahoe area.

This isn’t the only video Sielsch has posted of G101 this winter. A local urbanized bear expert, Sielsch works with local wildlife authorities to monitor and relocate problem bears, reports South Lake Tahoe Now. As part of this work—and a general fascination with the animals—he’s gathered dozens of videos of urban black bears this winter alone. Some videos show the bears sitting outside in the snow, watching the flakes drift by. Others show bears squeezing in and out of comically tight spaces as they begin to emerge from hibernation.

Due to its position close to Tahoe National Forest, the South Lake Tahoe area is home to a thriving black bear population, many of whom are dangerously habituated to humans. While many bears take shelter under decks or porches without causing trouble, others get a little too familiar with urban life. Habituated bears have been known to break into stores and homes in search of food. Others tear through trash, knock over garbage bins, open car doors, and otherwise become major nuisances. When this happens, authorities often have to relocate the bears or euthanize them to keep humans and pets safe from their unpredictable behavior.

If you live in a bear-prone area, lock up your trash in a bear-safe container and avoid leaving any food or other interesting-smelling items out in the open. If you’re camping, always hang a bear bag or use a bear canister. And if you see a bear up close, keep your distance—even if it appears harmless.