Epic Brawl Breaks Out Between Two Bears Fighting Over a Whale Carcass

Have you ever seen a beached whale carcass? If you have, you know that these are massive creatures who often fall victim to hungry predators that feed on their bodies after death. In this video, several brown bears in Katmai National Park in Alaska are caught feasting on the carcass of a dead whale. However, their excitement soon turns to disaster, as one bear begins a fight with another over the best meat.

Click the Video Below to See the Fight in Action:

The mama bear and her cub retreat when they see the brown bear coming near them. Suddenly, the advancing brown bear charges at the mama bear, head-butting her and trying to claw at her. Luckily, though, the mama bear is an aggressor, and she gives her opponent a fair fight. The two bears bite and claw at each other until another bear enters the scene.

At the beginning of the video, a brown bear can be seen devouring a part of the whale carcass that had become separated from the whole. Another brown bear approaches the whole carcass while a mama bear and cub are feeding on it. The approaching bear seems wary at first but then begins to dig in. After several seconds of feeding have passed, yet another bear enters the scene, looking for meat.

This bear takes the mama bear’s place in the fight, aiming to show the malignant bear who’s boss. He bites his opponent with paralyzing force. They roar at each other violently, trying to intimidate one another. The bear who started the conflict eventually retreats, limping away pathetically and wishing he hadn’t begun such a fight.

In the end, the bear that claimed victory went back to feasting on the whale carcass while the losing bear was forced to watch with envy. Although the battle between the brown bears was unarguably epic, the loser undoubtedly regretted his choice to pick a fight at the end.

Background on Brown Bears

Brown bears exist all over the world across several continents and countries. In North America, the term “grizzly bear” is typically synonymous with brown bear in everyday language, as many people believe they are the same species. By contrast, grizzly bears are a subspecies of brown bears; they are not the same.

While the video depicted brown bears chowing down on a large piece of meat, they are omnivores. This distinction means that they enjoy meat and vegetation alike, feeding on berries, plant roots, fish, and rodents. Brown bears can measure 6.5 feet in height and weigh over 1,000 pounds.

While brown bears are unlikely to start a conflict unless provoked or threatened, attacks can still occur. Some steps to survive a brown bear attack are to stay calm, use bear pepper spray and back away, play dead, and wait to get up from the ground for 20 minutes after the bear retreats from the conflict. Following steps like these is a responsible choice when aiming to ensure one’s own safety during a bear attack.

Normal Behavior of Brown Bears

Brown bears are one of the most majestic creatures in the animal kingdom. They are solitary animals, meaning that they tend to live alone and only interact with other bears during mating season or when competing for food sources.

Their diet consists of mostly vegetation, like berries and grasses, though they do hunt for smaller animals like salmon and other fish. Brown bears typically spend their days foraging for food, taking rest periods, and exploring their surrounding area. During the winter, they typically hibernate in an underground den, which helps them conserve energy and survive the cold temperatures.

Brown bears can be very territorial and will fight with other bears over food sources. This behavior is considered normal, but it is not common. Bears avoid fighting, especially in areas with abundant food, as it can lead to injury or even death. Brown bears will also use a variety of vocalizations, like growling and roaring, to communicate with other bears.

How Big Are Brown Bears?

Brown bears are large animals that vary in size depending on the species. Generally, brown bear lengths can range from 5-8 feet when standing on all fours. The average weight of a brown bear is typically between 200-800 lbs. In terms of claws, brown bears have the longest of any other bear species, with some measuring as long as 4-7 inches.

The Kodiak bear, a subspecies of brown bear, has the distinction of being the largest species of bear in the world. Males of the species can weigh up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) and can measure up to 8.5 feet when standing. The claws of a Kodiak bear can reach lengths of 4-5 inches.

The Eurasian brown bear is the second-largest species of brown bear. Males can weigh up to 800 lbs and reach lengths of 6.6 feet when standing. The claws of the Eurasian brown bear can reach lengths of 4-5 inches.

The American black bear is the smallest species of brown bear. Males typically weigh between 200-600 lbs and reach lengths of 5-6 feet when standing. The claws of the American black bear can reach lengths of 2-4 inches.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © AndreAnita/Shutterstock.com