Why do brown bears stop attacking when you play dead? Do they think you’re an easy meal if you don’t fight back? #BrownBears #PlayingDead #BearAttacks
When facing a brown bear attack, playing dead can be a life-saving strategy. But why does it work? Let’s break it down in simple terms:
Why Playing Dead Works:
– Survival Instinct: Brown bears are less likely to attack if they believe their prey poses no threat.
– Feeding Preference: Brown bears are opportunistic feeders and may prefer live prey over carrion.
– Protecting Young: Playing dead can signal to a bear that you are not a threat, reducing the need for further aggression.
In summary, playing dead can trick brown bears into thinking you are not a threat or live prey, reducing the chances of a deadly attack. Remember, always prioritize safety and follow expert advice in bear encounters. #BearSafety #WildlifeEncounters #StaySafe
Brown bears don’t want to eat you. They want to attack you because they see you as a threat. If you’re dead you’re no longer a threat
Brown bears don’t eat people. The main reason they would attack is if they feel threatened. If youre dead, you’re no longer a threat, and they may leave you alone.
By most accounts, it does not work. Also, brown bears are aggressive only during mating season, when they’re hungry due winter hibernation or when you’re close to cubs.
So, if one’s looking for a fight, not playing dead and doing something foolish might provoke them. But still, playing dead (or rather, curling up and protecting your head and neck) is absolute last option. Do not lay down before a meat-eating animal.
The idea is that *most* of the time a brown bear is going to be attacking a human because they feel threatened or for something like protecting cubs. Since the attack is defensive by playing dead the person convinces the bear they are no longer a threat and hopefully the attack will end. However if the attack does not end then the victim is advised to fight back, for whatever good that is going to do.
Black bears are different in that they are generally much more skittish and will almost always flee from an encounter with a human. If a black bear attacks it is not going to just be roughing you up, so the advice is to attempt to escape or as a last resort you should fight back. Black bears are relatively small so fighting back can be more effective as well. Playing dead is not advised with a black bear attack.
Polar bears are adapted to an environment where they need every meal they can get to survive. If you encounter a polar bear it is going to be trying to eat you and your only chance is to escape or have a firearm that can kill the polar bear. They are very large and fighting back with just your hands is basically useless, and playing dead will just let them eat you in peace.
You’re only supposed to play dead after the attack has already begun. This let’s them think the fight is over and *hopefully* prevent further mauling. It is not meant to be used to *prevent* an attack.
I’ve attended several conferences and seminars an bears while living and hiking in areas where there are lots of bears. All of the experts in the presentations agreed that it is a bad idea to lay down. Bears are very curious animals and are likely to investigate, which may result in harm to you.
Only lay down if you’ve already been attacked and cannot get away or otherwise defend yourself. Best strategy is to avoid bears in the first place.
The overwhelming majority of bear attacks are from brown bear mothers that are protecting their cubs from a perceived threat.
Unless they’re starving, bears generally won’t attack humans for the sake of sustenance.
Polar bears will absolutely hunt humans as a food source but encounters between humans and polar bears are quite rare.
This is anecdotal and I don’t recall the color of the bear. But when I was in boy scouts and went to Philmont (New Mexico), one wandered near our campsite. There were around 30-40 people across a few groups, most of us making dinner. We noted the bear wasn’t tagged (which we would later report). Anyway, we got everyone to stand in a big group and make noise, and the bear decided it wasn’t worth the trouble.
Just wanted to add a note that a lot of California black bears are actually a brown color. So you really just need to know where the Grizzlies are, and avoid them at all costs.
*Does* it work, or was that just a rumor that Bears started?
You don’t seem more or less edible to bears for doing anything, they don’t normally eat people for food. Some bears feel threatened and will leave if you lie down.
Short answer: it doesn’t.
Long answer: when you get in contact with a wild grizzly bear in the lower 48, your only defence is bear spray. Exceptions can be made for brown bears in national parks who have been conditioned to be around humans.
How to prevent attacks: don’t bring food with you in the wilderness, and if you do, make sure it’s packed away very far from your tent. Always keep your dog on a leash. Always carry bear spray. Scream and be loud, but your two hundred pound body is not likely to scare a bear that’s already chosen you as food.
While brown bear attacks are rare (~1/ year), they can happen when bears are hungry, if they are old, and just because they’re giant multi hundred pound carnivores.
This is different than American black bears, which likely will run away when they see you.