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Myths, Folklore & Misconceptions

Bears as Imaginary Dragons

There may be something within us that wants to imagine dangerous animals to prove our courage against them. People used to imagine dragons. Today, outdoor writers, artists, and others profit…

Internet Hoax

Marc Falco, Open Season, June 8, 2003, Reprinted from The Standard Times, New Bedford, Massachusetts The Hoax Over the past few weeks, several well-meaning readers sent me an e-mail with…

Folklore

Bears are part of human culture. Perhaps no other group of animals has excited the human imagination in so many ways. Although none of the popular images of bears reflect…

Training Bears

Ruth LaBarge has owned and trained bears for the entertainment industry for over thirty years. She has the largest selection of working Kodiak bears and black bears in North America….

Myth: When Bears Lose Their Fear of People, They Become More Likely to Attack

Untrue. Bear researchers across America have found that such bears are no more likely to attack, and may be less likely to attack, than other bears. Here is a summary…

Myth: Bears Attack If They Sense Fear

Untrue. This is a common worry, but most people are afraid near bears and are not attacked. Bears seldom attack for any reason Meeting a black bear close-up can trigger…

Myth: Bears Don’t Feel Pain like People Do

Untrue. People, bears, dogs, and other mammals have similar nervous systems to avoid pain and protect their bodies from injury (Fox 2007). Bears have unusually keen senses of smell, taste,…

Myth: Black Bears Stink

Untrue: Most of the time bears smell clean and fresh. Bear dens smell clean even after 5-7 months of use Bear Breath A high compliment would be to say someone…

Myth: Mothers Reject Cubs That Have Human Scent

Untrue. This is a total myth—as it is for other young birds and mammals. Touching baby birds and mammals does not cause parents to reject them because of human scent….

Myth: Menstrual Odors Trigger Bear Attacks

Untrue. Although government brochures warn people about it, there is no evidence for this misconception. Published 1981 (click image to see brochure) In 1967, grizzly bears in Glacier National Park…

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Myths, Folklore & Misconceptions

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