Does playing dead really work on grizzly bears?

If any bear attacks you in your tent, or stalks you and then attacks, do NOT play dead—fight back! This kind of attack is very rare, but can be serious because it often means the bear is looking for food and sees you as prey.

Why do you play dead with a grizzly bear?

The reason playing dead with grizzlies is generally accepted as a reasonable strategy is that a grizzly is more likely to be conducting a defensive attack – it attacks you to eliminate you as a potential threat – to itself or to its cubs, or to the carcass it thinks you’re trying to steal.

Do grizzly bears eat dead humans?

Yellowstone National Park rangers have put down a grizzly bear that killed a hiker and ate part of his body. Officials killed the bear on Thursday after tests confirmed it had eaten part of the man’s body and hid the rest. It is not normal behaviour for bears to feed on humans, park officials said.

Why does playing dead work with bears?

Those involving grizzlies tend to be defensive, when the animal feels threatened, according to Stephen Herrero, a bear expert at the University of Calgary and the author of “Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance.” Playing dead then lets the bear know you’re not a threat and can cause it to back off.

What do grizzly bears eat most?

Grizzly Bear Diet Grizzly bears mainly get their food from eating insects, grass, broad-leaved herbs, tubers, sedges, berries, and roots. Apart from these foods, a grizzly bear will often get its daily nourishment from salmon, deer, moose, ground squirrels, mice, bison, and marmots.

Should you play dead if a grizzly bear attacks?

Fact: Playing dead will work if you’re being attacked by a mother grizzly defending her cubs. But it is the wrong thing to do if you’re being attacked by a predatory bear. If a bear attacks (particularly a black bear) in an offensive manner and physical contact is made, fight for your life.

How do grizzly bears dispose of dead bear cubs?

They may be disposed of by burning and then packing out the remains. Myth #15: Play dead during an attack. Fact: Playing dead will work if you’re being attacked by a mother grizzly defending her cubs. But it is the wrong thing to do if you’re being attacked by a predatory bear.

Will a grizzly bear attack you if you are menstruating?

Most bears will actually retreat before you are even aware of their presence. It is still important, however, to stay alert and know what to do. Fact: Current evidence suggests that menstruation does not increase the likelihood of an attack by a black or grizzly bear, but tampons are recommended over pads.

What should you do if you surprise a grizzly bear?

If you surprise a grizzly/brown bear and it charges or attacks, do not fight back! Only fight back if the attack persists. Never run from a surprised bear because it can cause a predatory reaction from the bear. Do not try to climb a tree.