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
This mnemonic device is used to help know what to do when you are forced into an encounter with a bear (at least the common US bears). The color of the bear represents which bear you are dealing with (identifying colors is easier than trying to gauge taxonomic classification while simultaneously peeing your pants): Black = American Black Bear; Brown = Grizzly Bear; White = Polar Bear. Here’s the logic for each:
“If it’s black, fight back” – American Black Bears are generally ~~weary~~ wary of humans and see themselves as prey, so if you are forced into a violent encounter with a black bear, you should fight back. Black bears are roughly 175-400 lbs and stand upright around 5 feet.
“If it’s brown, lie down” – Grizzly/Brown Bears are much more territorial and will defend that territory if you enter their range. Thus, lying down and playing dead gives you a better shot at survival than trying to attack or run away from the bear. Grizzlies can get up to 700 lbs and stand closer to 7 feet.
“If it’s white, say goodnight” – Polar bears are the absolute apex predator of the frozen north, capable of tracking prey for days on end over land or water, smelling prey from over a Km away. They don’t bluff attacks as other bears do. Size wise, they can reach up to 1200 pounds and stand 10 feet tall. So if it’s white, say goodnight, cause you ain’t winning, you ain’t escaping, you ain’t tricking it.
Latest Answers