Who will win in a black bear vs. grizzly bear battle?
In this ultimate animal showdown, we’ll compare the strength and weaknesses of these two mighty bears. Both bear species can take down whitetail deer and large moose. But what will happen when they have to use their attack abilities on each other?
Will the ferocious grizzly instantly come out on top? Or will the black bear’s survival skills help them gain an advantage? Follow along as we compare the key differences between black bears and grizzlies to determine who would win in a fight!
Comparing Black Bear vs. Grizzly Bear
| Animal Battle Factors | Black Bear | Grizzly Bear |
| Size | 4 to 6 feet long 130 to 400 pounds | 8 feet long 400 to 600 pounds |
| Speed | 35 mph | 40 mph |
| Attack Abilities | Two to four-inch long claws Sharp incisor teeth, four-pointed canines Bite force 800 PSI Swipe force 560 pounds | Sharp curved claws up to 5 inches long Sharp incisor teeth Upper jaw has two fangs Bite force 1,160 PSI Swipe force 7000 to 25,000 pounds |
| Defense Abilities | Flees fights Climbs 100 feet up the tree in 30 seconds Standing on hind legs Fluffing up fur to intimidate | Rarely flees fight Standing on hind legs Fluffing up fur to intimidate Pound paws Bluff charge |
| Intelligence | Highly intelligent | Highly intelligent |
| Survival Skills | Omnivorous diet Can smell seven times better than a bloodhound | Omnivorous diet Sense of smell stronger than a black bear’s Digs for food |
Competitor #1: Black Bear
Introducing competitor number one, the black bear. Even though black bears aren’t aggressive by nature, they’re fierce fighters when necessary. With their sharp teeth, long claws, and powerful bite, they’re a force to be reckoned with. If our first fighter is willing to go all out, they could stand a chance at taking down the mighty grizzly.
Black bears aren’t aggressive but will fiercely fight if challenged.
©Constance Mahoney/Shutterstock.com
Competitor #2: Grizzly Bear
Introducing competitor number two, the grizzly bear. As a subspecies of brown bears, grizzlies bears are considerably larger than black bears. They also have sharp teeth, long claws, and a powerful bite. This beast could knock your head clean off with a single swipe of its paw. But this will be a challenging fight. Grizzlies rely on many of the same attack abilities as black bears, so our second competitor won’t have the element of surprise. Instead, this grizzly will have to win this fight using its sheer power.
A subspecies of brown bears, grizzlies bears are considerably larger than black bears.
©Degimages/Shutterstock.com
Animal Showdown: Key Factors in a Black Bear vs. Grizzly Bear Fight
The key factors in a black bear vs. grizzly bear battle are size, speed, attack abilities, defense abilities, intelligence, and survival skills. During three grueling rounds of fighting, each animal will have to put their best foot forward to stand a chance at being crowned the ultimate animal champion!
Round 1: Size and Speed
Round one compares the black bear and grizzly bears’ size and speed. Both animals are large, but grizzlies are considerably larger.
Large black bears are usually around 4 to 6 feet long and weigh about 130 to 660 pounds. In contrast, grizzlies are known to reach lengths of 8 feet and can weigh 400 to 600 pounds.
Bear size can vary depending on location, food sources, and environmental factors. The largest grizzly ever recorded was a whopping 1,200 lb. And the largest black bear in history was an incredible 1,100 lb.
As for speed, black bears max out at 35 mph, but the mighty grizzly can reach 40 miles per hour in short bursts. Grizzlies will use their speed when chasing down large prey, such as elk.
Round one goes to the grizzly bear. Even though it’s only a little bit faster than the black bear, its massive size allows it to win this round without even trying. Hopefully, the black bear will have a trick or two for round two.
Round 2: Attack and Defense Abilities
Round two compares the black bear and grizzly bears’ attacks and defense abilities. Since both competitors belong to the bear family, they have many of the same attack abilities.
Black bears and grizzly bears are known to stand on their hind legs during a fight. They fluff up their fur, pound their paws, and even charge their opponent. They’ll also use their long claws, sharp teeth, and powerful swipe force to inflict damage.
Black bears have a bite force of 800 PSI and a swipe force of 560 pounds. In contrast, grizzly bears have a bite force of 1,160 PSI and a swipe force of 7,000 to 25,000 pounds. To calculate bite force, researchers consider each species’ overall size in proportion to their skull.
Even though the grizzly bear is much stronger than the black bear, that doesn’t mean it’ll instantly win this round. If the black bear finds a nearby tree, it can escape safely. Black bears are known to be much better tree climbers than grizzlies, partially due to their smaller size.
But watch out! The grizzly bear has another trick up its sleeve. It knows how to fake out its opponent. Brown bears are famous for bluff charging. They’ll run at whatever animal or person they perceive as a threat. Mid-charge, the brown bear will decide if it will attack or try to fake out its opponent.
Black bears have a similar bluffing tactic that is less advanced than the grizzly’s technique. They’ll pound the ground, growl, and act as if they’re going to advance when they’re really about to flee.
Round two is a tie between the black bear and the grizzly. The large grizzly could easily tear apart the black bear, but it must catch it first. The black bear’s instinct to flee from a fight and expert tree-climbing skills give it a unique advantage in this round.
Round 3: Intelligence and Survival Skills
Round three tests the competitor’s intelligence and survival skills. This is the last round of the fight and will determine who becomes the animal battle champion!
Both black bears and grizzly bears have similar levels of intelligence and a great sense of smell. However, the grizzly’s sense of smell far surpasses the black bears. While black bears can pick up on smells over a mile away, grizzly bears can pick up on scents 20 miles away.
Grizzly bears also have an advantage when it comes to their claws. Black bear claws are only two inches long and are not great at digging for food. In contrast, the grizzly bear’s claws can be up to 5 inches long, and they’re designed for digging and foraging.
Finally, the grizzly bear has another advantage, its massive back hump. The large hump on a grizzly bear’s shoulders is a powerful muscle that powers their legs and helps them dig.
Round three goes to the grizzly bear! Both animals are highly intelligent and expert survivalists. However, the grizzly bear’s anatomy gives it better digging skills and more strength.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Black Bear vs. Grizzly?
The grizzly bear wins! It was a grueling three rounds. But in the end, the massive grizzly bear came out on top. These huge animals can weigh up to 600 pounds and have sharp curved claws as long as bananas. All it would take is one powerful bite or swipe from the grizzly, and the black bear might not recover.
The only real advantage the black bear had in this fight was its instinct to flee and climb trees. That’s what helped it survive round two. However, hiding in a tree isn’t how you become the champion of this animal battle. Since grizzlies are more aggressive, powerful, and larger, this species is the obvious winner.
The photo featured at the top of this post is ©
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