Watch a Wild Black Bear Turn Into the Perfect Gentleman and Close a Woman’s Front Door

Black Bear on road Mt Rainier, Washington
iStock.com/Mark Lee

Written by Kirstin Harrington

Updated: October 20, 2023

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There are countless videos online of animals doing the most peculiar things. You can watch a bear open a car door, a cat play the piano, or a lion cuddle alongside a person. Wildlife consistently leaves us in awe. Today, we’re looking at a precious black bear that goes from an apex predator to a classy gentleman in seconds. A snow-covered black bear appears on a woman’s doorstep, and it seems as though this isn’t the first time. 

Watch This Polite Bear In The Video Below! 

Susan Kehoe is the homeowner in the video, who lives in Highland Lakes, New Jersey. She has a calm, soothing voice that is perfect for telling children’s stories… and apparently telling bears what to do! 

When she opens the door to find the coy black bear, you can quickly tell the two have previously formed a relationship. “Close the door, sweetie,” Kehoe tells the bear as it walks off. “No, no, no, hun. Close the door. Close the door,” she continues. 

Black bear

It is rare for a bear to approach a human.

Surprisingly, the bear makes its way back to the door and uses its mouth to pull it closed. Kehoe could tell this wasn’t over. “You’re going to open it again, aren’t you?” she asks.

Within seconds, the door opens again, as if the animal could understand her. Seeing bears around these parts isn’t unusual. The strange part is how the bear interacts with a human.

“Close the door you little stinker,” she said.  You guessed it! The animal closes the door and goes on its way. 

Exceptional bear territory is mostly found in the counties of Sussex, Passaic, Warren, and Morris in New Jersey. Black bears are nevertheless extending their habitats both east and south as the bear numbers rise. 

Making Friends With a Black Bear

Kehoe claimed she felt confident in her ability to prevent the bear from turning hostile by taking the appropriate action.  The New Jersey resident says that a calm demeanor and tone of voice prevent the bear from becoming aggressive.

Now, before you go out into the woods speaking softly, know that we couldn’t find any evidence that a human’s tone of voice makes wild animals less aggressive. 

Black Bear - Dangerous Animals in West Virginia

Black bears may be adorable, but you should never approach one.

Although a domestic dog may react if you suddenly shout, a wild animal won’t necessarily change its behavior. In actuality, black bears are not often hostile. Black bear attacks are quite uncommon. 

Typically, black bears avoid interacting with people because they are fearful of them. Male black bears can weigh up to 660 pounds! They have sharp teeth, and powerful claws, yet are more afraid of us than we are of them. 


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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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