Black bears have killed 61 people across North America since This no longer worries me. My chances of being killed by a domestic dog, bees, or lightning are vastly greater.
My chances of being murdered are 60, times greater. One of the safest places a person can be is in the woods. In working closely with wild bears, I have used bad bear manners on occasion and been slapped, but the slaps were not that damaging — usually just welts.
This was a hard slap by a mature female whose claws were fully spread to nine and a quarter inches wide. The damage from a slap is nothing close to the folklore that a bear can disembowel man or beast with a swipe of the paw.
Black bear claws are strong for climbing trees, but not sharp for holding prey. Grizzly bear claws are even duller because they are used for digging. Defense of cubs is more a grizzly bear trait. There is no record of anyone being killed by a mother black bear defending her cubs, and attacks are very rare.
We routinely capture black bear cubs in the presence of mothers and have never been attacked. Black bears are so timid today partly because they evolved alongside such powerful predators as saber-toothed cats, American lions, dire wolves and short-faced bears, all of which became extinct only about 12, years ago.
Black bears were the only one of these that could climb trees, so black bears survived by staying near trees and developing the attitude: run first and ask questions later.
The timid ones passed on their genes to create the black bear of today. That timid attitude still serves black bears well now that people have spread across North America. Cougars — also known as mountain lions, pumas, etc. You can find them as far north as Canada and as far south as Patagonia, make the cougar a true, transcontinental American species. According to the Mountain Lion Foundation , cougars tend to hunt their main prey at dusk or dawn.
So, plan accordingly:. There you have it. If you encounter any of the above animals, keep your cool, remember these tips, and stay alive. Color Medium-to-dark brown Body shape Look for a hump of muscles in its upper back, a trademark of brown bears. Average height 6. Body shape Black bears are typically smaller and more slender than Grizzlies. Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways ; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees. Leave the area or take a detour.
If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route. Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs ; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them.
The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs. Bear Attacks Bear attacks are rare; most bears are only interested in protecting food, cubs, or their space. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area.
Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.
Bears are NOT ferocious. They are NOT mean or malicious. Bears are normally shy, retiring animals that have very little desire to interact with humans. Unless they are forced to be around humans to be near a food source, they usually choose to avoid us.
The size of the critical space is different for every bear and every situation. Each species has evolved different strategies for survival. Black bears, for instance, are usually less aggressive and more tolerant of people. They often live near human settlements, whereas grizzly bears prefer to stay away from human settlements and are often extirpated from heavily used or populated areas.
Black bears are excellent climbers. When a black bear is threatened he usually runs from the perceived threat or goes up a tree. Although black bears tend to retreat from people, they are still incredibly strong animals that can cause injuries. Today, brown or grizzly bears tend to live in coastal or mountain forests, but they evolved in treeless habitat that influenced their behavioural response to perceived threats.
For instance, they are more likely than black bears to defend themselves when threatened.
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