How do the distinct behaviors and biological characteristics of bears’ colors relate to surviving an encounter with them?

Question

Like what we have in a famous saying on how to survive a bear encounter based on its color, “fight back if it’s black, lie down if it’s brown, and run if it’s white.”

In: Biology

Answer 1

I always wince a little at these sorts of rhymes and simplified explanations regarding north American bears. 

There are three north American species of bears and they come in three sizes (small – black, medium – grizzly, large – polar) although there is some size overlap, a large male black bear will be larger than a young grizzly.

In general, all bear attacks are going to either be offensive (wants to eat you) or defensive (feels threatened/defending cubs, etc.) and the type of attack should dictate what to do.

If ANY bear species sees you from far away and comes up and tries to attack you it is an offensive attack and playing dead isn’t an option unless you want to be an easy meal. You’ve got to scare or threaten the bear away with loud noises or escape somehow.

Offensive attack based on species: A large male black bear might do this, the smaller ones unlikely. Grizzly bears are larger and more likely to see if they can eat you, especially a mature male which is quite large. Polar bears are freaking huge and if they are approaching, they are 100% sizing you up as a possible meal.

Defensive attack based on species: Imagine you’re hiking quietly through the woods and startle a bear, especially a bear with cubs. The bear rears up. This is likely a defensive attack and playing dead might be a strategy to allow the bear to move away without you getting killed. The bear is not interested in eating you but is interested in leaving the area. This scenario is entirely possible with a black bear, they are the most common bear in north America by far. This scenario is also possible with a grizzly in the right habitat. I can’t imagine this scenario ever happening with a polar bear, they live in un-treed areas and it seems unlikely that you could ever sneak up on a polar bear accidentally. And if you’re thinking about sneaking up on any bear intentionally. say as a photographer, you’d better have a plan in mind for when the bear detects you.