| Polar
Bears of Churchill - Bear Behaviour
Living on the ice or tundra, there are no trees to climb or ready escape routes. Polar bears must be confident in their ability to
identify potential threats. Interpreting their surroundings and
bear behaviour will mean the difference between confrontation or
companionship in bear season, and likely be the difference in terms
of survival out on the ice.
Smell is their strongest sense. At least twenty times more sensitive
than human’s, it is usually their first indicator of a pending
encounter. This sense, however, is highly dependent on weather
conditions and wind direction. For this reason, bears stretch their
long necks and contort their noses to ‘read’ the wind.
Polar bears have come to rely on body language as their primary means of communication. With so many bears in a relatively
small area, ‘bear season’ is an excellent opportunity to observe
their complex interactions. Body size is often used to establish
dominance. Bears will often ‘broadside’, walking at almost a right
angle to their opponent. Two bears circle each other, assessing the
situation and their opponent.
A lowered head is, also, a common behaviour. It can indicate uncertainty, stress or aggression. A bear often stands with a
lowered head and all four feet close together while assessing new
situations.
Uncertainty is often accompanied by swaying either their head or their whole body back and forth. Stress will often induce a licking
motion, with bears sticking out their black tongue possibly to aid
in identifying a new scent. Aggression is signified by an extended
upper lip and an exhalation of breath or a hissing sound.
Although generally silent, bears may accompany the nuances of body language with vocalizations. A low growl can signify a
warning to other bears, often used when food is involved. Despite
this warning, food may be shared between bears, given the proper
etiquette and conditions. On the other hand, trying to share
someone else’s food is a good way for a young bear to get in big
trouble. A loud roar displays outright anger and often signals an
immediate charge.
With such an adaptable and intelligent animal, it is amazing to watch how uncertainty changes to comfort to aggression and back
in a very short time span.
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