2 Brown Bears Fight for Dominance; Bear Attacks, How To Protect Yourself, National Park Service

[appalachiablue]

- Two large brown bears fight intensely in the forest of Finland. Animals battle for dominance, territory, food and mating rights.
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- BROWN BEAR (Ursus arctos) is a large bear native to Eurasia and North America. Of the carnivorans, it is rivaled in size only by its closest relative, the polar bear, which is much less variable in size and slightly bigger on average. The brown bear is a sexually dimorphic species, as adult males are larger and more compactly built than females.

The fur ranges in color from cream to reddish to dark brown. It has evolved large hump muscles, unique among bears, and paws up to 21 cm (8.3 in) wide and 36 cm (14 in) long, to effectively dig through dirt. Its teeth are similar to those of other bears and reflect its dietary plasticity.

Throughout the brown bear's range, it inhabits mainly forested habitats in elevations of up to 5,000 m (16,000 ft). It is omnivorous, and consumes a variety of plant and animal species. Contrary to popular belief, the brown bear derives 90% of its diet from plants. When hunting, it will target animals as small as insects and rodents to those as large as moose or muskoxen.

In parts of coastal Alaska, brown bears predominantly feed on spawning salmon that come near shore to lay their eggs. For most of the year, it is a usually solitary animal that associates only when mating or raising cubs...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bear

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_bear
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BEAR ATTACKS, U.S. National Park Service -NPS. Every encounter is different. Bears exhibit different kinds of behaviors during different situations, and understanding the bear’s behavior can make the difference between life and death. There are 2 types of charges—bluff charges and aggressive charges.

BLUFF CHARGES are more common. Bluff charges are meant to scare or intimidate. When a bear bluff charges, it will have its head and ears up and forward. The bear will puff itself up to look bigger. It will bound on its front paws toward you (moving in big leaps), but then stop short or veer off to one side. Often bears retreat after a bluff charge, or they may vocalize loudly.

BLUFF CHARGE. If you can see a bluff charge is about to happen, slowly back away while waving your arms above your head, and speak to the bear in a calm voice. When the bear charges you, hold your ground and stay calm.
After the bear charges, slowly retreat while keeping an eye on the bear.

Let the bear know that you’re a human, and that you aren’t a threat. Continue to speak to the bear in a calm voice and make it clear that you are a human. Do NOT run during a bluff charge, it may trigger the bear to attack. Stand your ground. Be ready for the bear to make contact in case the charge is not a bluff charge. Know how to protect and defend yourself in case the bear turns aggressive.

AGGRESIVE CHARGES are very dangerous. Bears may yawn or clack their teeth, and pound their front paws on the ground while huffing—these are warning signs. These behaviors indicate that a bear is stressed, and it may be getting ready to charge. It will have its head down and ears pointed back, and the bear will come at you like a freight train. Be ready to protect and defend yourself!... Read More,

https://www.nps.gov/articles/bearattacks.htm

[Drum]

1. Yikes, that WAS intense!

[appalachiablue]

2. IK, serious situation, they don't mess around, ugh!

[hlthe2b]

3. Yet, I could see no wounds on either...

Thick fur and all, it may not have been apparent from a distance, but still. Interesting...

[3Hotdogs]

7. Dunno. I saw pieces of fur flying. Then at the end, there is a patch of missing fur on the rear-back of the larger bear.

It seems that both of them scrapped for a few minutes and then "ran out of gas" so the fight was over, It takes a lot of energy to move 400 lbs for a period of 15 minutes or so.

[2naSalit]

6. Yeah...

That text is half my Ranger2na's Bear Safety Talk I recited three times, at least, daily.

Each of those bears weighs in at a minimum of 400lbs, think of a chonky, furry octopus made of muscle and sharp knives with a vice grip on top... if you can. I used to haul a couple hides around for my demonstrations, I couldn't lift them myself.

So the lesson is Bear Spray 99% of the time. There are few situations where it will not be effective in saving your life. Learn how it works and how to use it if you plan on venturing into bear country.

[drray23]

4. clever use of the tree.

As for protecting yourself, my rule is never attempt to fight for dominance with a bear..

[usaf-vet]

5. Stay home. Never leave your car. Carry bear spray. Carry a BIG gun you know how to use with deadly accuracy.