Jonathan Peterson ‘23
Co-Executive Editor
Pictured: A Grizzly Bear.
Photo Credit: People.com
Bears are one of the most widespread and successful animals on the planet. Inhabiting North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the North Pole, the lifestyles of different species of bears vary widely. And, while some bears are more successful than others,[1] all species of bears have managed to carve out a niche in their environments.
Most bears are omnivorous. However, there are exceptions to that general rule. Giant pandas, native to China, are herbivorous. Polar bears eat almost exclusively meat, making them the only carnivorous bears.[2] Still, most bears are lucky to enjoy a mixed diet, engaging in both foraging and hunting.
Bears have an incredible array of traits which make them specially suited to this lifestyle. Being generally beefy creatures, bears often have little to worry about except for other bears.[3] Armed with massive teeth and claws, there is simply little that can stand up to even a subadult bear.[4] Add to this the fact that grizzly bears can run at an astonishing thirty-five to forty miles per hour, and you can see why they are so successful. Further, a bear’s sense of smell is seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s—or 2,100 times that of a human.
To cap this all off, bears are incredibly intelligent creatures. Historic accounts from Inuit hunters told of polar bears hurling chunks of ice to take down walruses that the bears would otherwise have been incapable of hunting. These accounts were largely ignored. However, recent research has shown a lot of anecdotal evidence in support of these claims. Particularly of interest is the story of a captive polar bear. The bear, GoGo, was faced with the problem of an out-of-reach food source. “The bear independently refined a technique of using toys as tools including piping, logs, and a ball by throwing them like a basketball to knock the meat down.”[5] If they weren’t scary enough, it turns out that Planet of the Bears might not be too far off.
Suffice it to say, bears are incredible creatures. Their speed, size, sensory abilities, and intelligence make them formidable and admirable creatures. So, should one be worried if they encounter a bear?
The answer, unfortunately, isn’t a simple “yes” or “no.” The first thing you need to know when asking yourself that question is what type of bear you’ve come across. Different bear species react differently to people. In this article, I will discuss the limited types of bears that one might encounter in and around North America: black bears and grizzly bears.
Black bears are widely distributed across North America. In fact, Shenandoah National Park is one of the most black-bear-rich areas in the world. So, should you be worried if you encounter one?
Generally, no. Smaller than the grizzlies of the West Coast, black bears are generally quite afraid of people, and would much rather run from you than attack. However, there are known instances of black bears actively hunting people. Further, as many know, there is little that is more dangerous than a mother bear near her cubs. If a bear starts to exhibit threatening behavior, first, you should not attempt to appear threatening in response. Do your best to back away calmly from the bear. Ideally, you will have bear spray. If not, stay calm, do not run, and retreat to a safe place.
If a black bear does attack, you have no choice but to fight back. This is imperative. Black bears, unlike grizzlies, often don’t have the sole goal of killing you, but also of later eating you. That is the main difference between the two; grizzlies will attack solely to remove someone from their space, while black bears are often looking for dinner.
So, if a black bear attacks, fight. If a grizzly attacks, it’s the exact opposite. Lay down on your stomach and cover the back of your neck. Wait it out. Once the bear has left, despite your best instincts, continue to wait. Count to 1,000. Then go. There are accounts of individuals who, after being attacked, later ran into the same bear, which then attacked them again, starting the whole process over.[6]
Most importantly, don’t be dumb. Stay away from bears. They are beautiful and interesting creatures—from a distance. Bears becoming habituated to humans is a source of problems for both bears and humans. Humans (and their vehicles and homes) may be seen as food sources, making them a target. Bears that do this frequently may become “problem bears,” requiring either relocation or even euthanasia.
So, if you see a bear, there’s reason to be excited. They’re cool. But be cautious. And take pictures—that’s the best way to make memories with wild animals.
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jtp4bw@virginia.edu
[1] The difference between pandas and grizzlies exemplifies this. One is a ferocious tank that can eat anything. The other munches on bamboo and behaves like a doofus.
[2] A noticeable lack of vegetation leaves animals living on the poles with little choice in the matter.
[3] One exception to this is in the case of sloth bears, which share territory with bengal tigers. While fights are rare, the bears often lose when attacked.
[4] Subadult bears are bears which, while independent from their mother, are not yet sexually mature.
[5] https://www.iflscience.com/polar-bears-may-use-ice-blocks-as-tools-to-bonk-unsuspecting-walruses-on-the-head-60538
[6] Blue Ridge Outdoors, Man Attacked Twice by Same Grizzly Bear, Lives to Post Facebook Video, https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/go-outside/man-attacked-twice-grizzly-bear-lives-post-facebook-video/.