Common Myths About Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Bears have attracted plenty of attention from humans over many centuries and, as one of the most majestic animals on the planet, they evoke awe, fear, wonder and intrigue in equal measure. Despite the interest and research they command, there are many myths surrounding the way they behave and how they live. Grizzly Bears are not the ferocious aggressive animals popular culture and media would have us believe, but neither are they the cuddly cute animals of children’s stories. Both myths are misplaced and they are not the only ones.

Common Myths

These creatures are incredibly powerful and demand a huge amount of respect. Here we dispel some common myths regarding their behaviour.

They are unpredictable – In fact, they are not unpredictable at all. They use body language and make noises to indicate what they intend to do every step of the way. For those people who live and work in bear territory, knowing some of these indicators is essential.

They can't run – Bears can actually run over 60km an hour, whether it is up or down hill. This is more than twice as fast as a human and they can even outrun a racehorse over short distances.

A bear on its hind legs is going to charge – Standing on the hind legs is actually just the most effective way of getting a better look at whatever it is that has caught the animal's attention. It is easier for them to see, hear and smell things when in an upright position.

If they eat human food they won't go back to wild food – Bears prefer their own wild food but will eat human food if their own is hard to obtain. At certain times of the year they may look to human food as their own sources become scarce. At these times you need to be vigilant with bird feeders, pet food, fruit trees and barbeque remains.

If Grizzly Bears charge, climb a tree - Bears actually appear to feel braver when they are in trees and sometimes they even fight each other above ground in the branches. In these cases, the animal with the lower vantage has the jump on one in a higher position, as it is looking up to fight and can hang on easier.

Bear attacks are common – This last one is absolutely not true. Attacks on humans are extremely rare and, although encounters with the animals may well be frequent, very few result in any kind of conflict. That said, it's always wise to stay alert and be aware of the correct procedure if you do encounter Grizzly Bears in the wild.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for bear watching tours, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide to see Grizzly Bears, Polar Bears and other species. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.