Like human children, bear cubs are extremely playful; and just like human mothers, if things get too rough, mother bears will make them stop to protect them from hurting themselves.
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Amazing Facts About the Bear
- Bears are extraordinarily intelligent animals. They have far superior navigation skills to humans; excellent memories; large brain to body ratio; and use tools in various contexts from play to hunting.
- Bears grieve deeply for others. Cubs are known to moan and cry when separated from their mothers. This can go on for weeks if their mothers are killed by hunters.
- Bears have excellent senses of smell, sight and hearing. They can smell food, cubs, a mate or predators from miles away. Their great eyesight allows them to detect when fruits are ripe.
- Some species of Asiatic bear build nests in the trees. They can use these for hiding, eating and even sleeping.
- Bears care deeply about family members. They will risk their lives and even fight to the death in order to save a cub or sibling from danger.
Bears and Human Culture
- Bears were often honoured in the cultures of many early civilisations. They were seen as a symbol of power, strength and love.
- Vikings and the Celts have many legends about the strength, protectiveness and prowess of bears.
- The bear is a common national personification for Russia (and the former USSR) and Germany. The brown bear is Finland’s national animal.