10/15/2019 / By Darnel Fernandez
Bear attacks are not exactly a common occurrence in the wild. In fact, bears have little desire to interact with humans. They mostly try to avoid people if possible. Still, bear attacks do happen. As humans continue to encroach on bears’ natural habitats, chances for bear encounters increase dramatically. If you find yourself within the range of a bear, would you survive such an encounter? (h/t to PreppersWill.com)
Three species of bear make their home in North America: the black bear, the brown or grizzly bear, and the polar bear. Each of these bears has distinguishing characteristics and unique behaviors that are important to know before heading out into bear country.
Polar bears can only be found in the northern regions of Alaska. Because of this, you are less likely to encounter one in the wild as compared to black bears and brown bears. So, this article will focus on the latter two as they share many characteristics, but also have significant differences that you must be aware of in order to identify them properly.
The American black bear (Ursus Americanus) is the most common bear species in North America. Despite their name, these bears can be found in colors other than black, including cinnamon, brown, and even white.
Black bears are excellent climbers and would often climb a tree or run away when threatened. However, while skittish in nature, these bears are incredibly strong and could can serious injury if they do decide to attack.
The grizzly or brown bear (Ursus arctos) is one of the largest predators in North America. While they are typically brown, their fur can appear white-tipped or grizzled, lending them their name.
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These massive animals can weigh up to 650 pounds. But don’t let their size fool you – grizzly bears clock in at around 37 miles per hour.
Take note that fur color and body size are unreliable means to identify bears you may encounter. Despite their name, not all black bears are black and not all grizzly bears appear “grizzled.” Furthermore, these bears can have varying sizes and weights, depending on their age and gender. Imagine yourself distinguishing an adult cinnamon-colored black bear from a juvenile grizzly.
One of the main differences to spot is that grizzly bears have a distinct shoulder hump not present in black bears. Grizzly bears have well-developed shoulder muscles used for digging or for pushing over objects like rocks or logs. Because of this, these muscles act as the highest point on a grizzly’s body when it is down on all fours.
You can also spot some differences on the bears’ heads. Grizzly bear ears are smaller and rounder than those of black bears. The latter has longer, larger and pointed ears.
One of the best ways to prevent bear attacks is to simply avoid them. More often than not, the bear will most likely retreat before you are even aware of its presence. However, if you happen to encounter one along your travels, here are some things you should do:
Finding yourself in the presence of a bear may seem daunting, but these tactics can help you survive out in bear country. Always remember to keep your cool and fight to stay alive.
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Tagged Under: bear attack, bear country, bears, brown bear, grizzly bear, panic, preparedness, prepper, self-defense, SHTF, survival, Survival Tips, survivalist, Ursus americanus, Ursus arctos, wild animals, wild encounters, wilderness survival, wildlife
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