See This Hungry Bear Charge at Two Others Trying to Swim in His River

Some bears just know how to take what’s theirs. In the below footage, we are treated to one particularly feisty brown bear letting two others know who’s in charge. All seems well along a riverbed, but our big boy Otis decides he doesn’t want to share today. He doesn’t seem to mind the few seagulls that are hanging out, but the other bears who try to invite themselves over are a different story. For context, Otis is one of the largest of his species found within the Katmai National Park and Preserve, and you could say he pulls his weight. The only thing he has to do is begin approaching the intruders, and they know it’s time to split!

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The serene setting we see here takes place in Alaska, where a dedicated community of ursine watchers film the local population. Most of the identified critters are given a number for tracking their habits and exploits. Some, like Otis, are given a nickname for fun. Did you know that Otis, aside from being somewhat notorious, has won multiple Fat Bear awards? Check it out sometime if you’re curious!

That said, let’s learn more about the intriguing brown bear and some of their possibly lesser-known characteristics.

Are Brown Bears Master Architects?

Say what? That’s right, these mighty animals are actually known for carefully constructing their homes. Whether it’s choosing well-shaped hills, areas with dense snow, or insulating the place, every detail is taken into consideration. You see, they want to make sure their den is physically stable, warm, and safe from possible bear neighbors. They even rebuild their yearly burrows near their prior ones, if the region proved to be free from danger. However, these strategic thinkers don’t reuse their houses — seasonal weather usually causes them to crumble when the snow thaws.

Who Hunts Brown Bears?

Other than humans, who are legally limited to how often brown bears can be harvested, brown bears have little to fear. In fact, as apex predators, no other animals dare go after them, aside from when they fight amongst themselves. As highly territorial and hierarchical creatures, it makes sense that only bear versus bear conflicts are a threat to them in the wild.

This isn’t to imply that they are constantly at war, though. These majestic critters are normally solitary in their habitats until mating season, or if specific messages need to be relayed. If you guessed that their communication revolves around marking their territory and selecting mates, you’re absolutely correct!