This may signal the bear’s intentions, but it also protects the ears from bites. A bear that is very agitated and may be about to make contact may have their ears flattened against their head. A bear may circle an adversary with head high, then drop it and begin a series of short open-mouthed lunges as it becomes more challenging. Most serious injuries and attacks on people are a result of grizzlies feeling threatened and acting in a manner that eliminates the threat.Ī bear uses head and mouth movements as well as body orientation. A grizzly bear’s message should be taken far more seriously. If it’s a black bear, it is merely a bluff that means the bear feels nervous and apprehensive, but for some reason may be reluctant to leave. The interpretation of this behaviour depends on whether it’s a black bear or grizzly. A mother black bear will also tree her cubs for safety.Ī bear may lunge suddenly toward a threat, and slap at the ground or surrounding vegetation. When a black bear climbs a tree, he is showing its submission. He may exhibit “ignoring” behaviour – standing motionless or perhaps grazing, indicating he has no intentions and just wants to be left alone. He may look away, yawning to feign disinterest. A bear may also use these same behaviours with people – and they can be very convincing.Ī bear may sit down or move away to show respect. Although bears are large and powerful animals capable of causing injury to one another, they prefer to use ritualized threats and displays as an alternative to actually fighting. Conversely, a bear can convey dominance by approaching at a walk or run.īears threaten one another. The bear is saying he does not want to fight for dominance, a fishing spot or a female. Walking or running away, sitting and lying down convey that the bear is subordinate to another bear or person. Body languageĪ bear’s body posture can communicate their mood. The more you can learn about bears and how they behave, the less likely you will be to have a negative encounter or misinterpret interactions.īears convey information through a diverse range of body language, vocalizations and odour signals. The best advice anyone can give you is to learn as much as possible about bears and how they communicate. Lynn Rogers, an expert on black bear behaviour, fearful people interpret any sound as a growl, a look as a glare, and walking towards them as “coming for me.” People all too often interpret what a bear does in terms of their own fear. More often than not, bear behaviour is misinterpreted. Paying attention to what bears have to say should keep you out of trouble. They react to people in the same way they would react to another bear. Bears speak a language of dominance and submission, of aggression or solicitation. Bears communicate to keep cubs and mothers together, find mates and relieve social tensions. A higher pitched moan of fear is heard briefly from the subordinate male.Ursine communication is not unlike communicating with your pet dog. This audio clip is of a female bear threatening a male that is competing for her food. Adults make this sound with a deeper voice. Similar to a cat’s purring, bears make this pleasure sound when they are especially comfortable, nursing, or eating a special treat. They also moan when they have escaped up trees or are being threatened by a nearby dominant bear.īlack bear cubs make motor-like pleasure sounds as they nurse. This bear was in a barrel-trap, which is a form of live trap. When bears are very scared and in a subordinate role they moan. ![]() The mother is grunting her concern while the cubs are voicing little squeals of mild distress. This mother black bear is moving her three-month-old cubs from their den to a white pine tree to begin life outside the natal den. The cub was soon released back to the mother. This recording was made while a researcher examined a cub out in the field. This sound is commonly made when a cub is separated from its mother. This is a distress sound made by a fearful cub. The cub is making the cooing sounds and the mother grunts, which is a common sound mothers make to cubs. The sounds of a young cub with its mother. When this is done in response to being startled by a person, it appears to be a defensive threat, but they also do it when they scare themselves by almost falling from a tree. īears blow and clack their teeth when they are afraid. All sounds and text are the copyright property of the Wildlife Research Institute in Ely, MN and cannot be used without express permission. ![]() If a bear is woofing at you, popping its jaws or moaning it is telling you it is upset or troubled and is communicating to you to move on. These sounds are rarely a sign of aggression, more often a signal that the bear is concerned, nervous or merely upset at what’s going on. ![]() Bears use the same vocalizations with humans as with other bears: jaw-popping, woofing, low grumbles and moans.
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