Smaller Adult Grizzly Bear Fights Enormous Male and Wins

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: October 19, 2023
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This video of a smaller grizzly bear fighting against a larger bear demonstrates how size doesn’t matter when you have the heart of a warrior. As the video starts, you can see a huge Alaskan brown grizzly bear taking up almost the entire camera frame. Off to the right is another Alaskan brown bear resting.

The larger grizzly of the two is ready to pick a fight. He walks over to the resting brown bear, and they begin growling at one another. The larger grizzly bear comes in running and the smaller bear stands up just in time to meet his opponent.

Don’t Miss the Entire Video — Watch Below!

The Battle Begins

The larger bear comes in with a lot of aggression, but the smaller bear stands up to confront his bully. They smack each other’s arms away, pushing the other to create distance.

Each grizzly bear falls back on all fours as they continue to growl at one another. The smaller bear is letting the larger bear know that he will not put up with the bullying behavior.

The larger bear seems to be retreating as the smaller bear keeps growling into his face. Just as he takes one last step backward, the larger bear gets up again to attack the smaller bear.

Their jaws are hooked on to one another and their huge grizzly bear claws begin to tear fur from each other’s bodies. The larger bear tries thrashing his head around, but the smaller bear continues with his jaw locked onto the larger bear’s face.

Grizzly bears usually communicate their dominance through fighting.

©Dennis W Donohue/Shutterstock.com

Grizzly vs. Grizzly

The scene intensifies as they keep their bites steady on one another and wrestle with each other. When they separate for a bit, the smaller grizzly bear can be heard roaring and as he does, you can see patches of fur fly into the wind.

The larger grizzly bear continues as the aggressor, pushing against the smaller bear as he retreats a bit. Once again, the larger bear comes in for the attack and manages to wrestle the smaller bear down to the ground.

He pins him down and the smaller grizzly bear keeps his bite on the larger bear’s head. As the larger bear strains to keep the smaller grizzly down, he defecates mid-fight.

Grizzly bear

Large adult grizzly bears can measure about 8 feet long and weigh around 900 pounds.

©Scott E Read/Shutterstock.com

The smaller grizzly remains calm, even as he is being dominated. He bites the larger bear’s ear and waits for an opportunity to stand up again. It seems as though the larger bear is winning but the smaller bear is patient and determined.

Back on his feet, the smaller grizzly bear uses his stamina to keep the fight going. The larger bear realizes that although the bear is smaller than him, he’s a worthy opponent.

Exhausted, they separate and breathe heavily, still facing each other but unwilling to keep the fight going. The larger grizzly bear retreats with his head down as the smaller bear keeps walking toward it. Then the video cuts.

Two Grizzly Bears fighting in water

Male grizzly bears may fight each other during mating season when competing for females’ attention.

©AndreAnita/Shutterstock.com

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


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About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

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