Watch This Bear Try to Outsmart an Electric Fence in the Pursuit of Sweet Honey

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Do you remember that funny commercial that used to play in the 1990s “What would you do for a Klondike bar?” Well, it depends on how old you were in the 1990s or if you were even alive then! It was saying you shouldn’t want to do anything for a Klondike bar because they are that good tasting. But let’s flip the script here, “What would a black bear do for some sweet honey?” Well, as we can see here, quite a lot!

We might go the extra mile for a Klondike bar growing up. Like cleaning our house quicker, picking up some extra chores, or saving a little money to get a box of Klondike bars. However, we doubt anyone reading this blog would say they would try to outsmart an electric fence for a Klondike bar. But, we mean, maybe they are really that good. 

Well, for this large black bear, he is willing to go to a lot of trouble. He is willing to try and get some sweet honey that is barricaded by an electric fence. The YouTube video posted by Wildlife by Bean shares this video from 2021 in Western Canada. They stated that “during the summer of 2021, the berry crop was poor, and many bears were displaced by the many wildfires. We had dozens of visits from black bears that year.” 

We see when the video starts that this is a security camera or a trail camera. It is capturing footage of animals that would try to come near this blockade. Of course, when watching this entire video, our first question might be wondering if this bear was hurt. And the video editors put our fears to rest by letting us know that no bears were harmed in this video. Not only that, but they have made improvements to their fences as well.

Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Facts

Black bears of the family Ursidae are large bears that weigh anywhere from 100-270 kilograms (220-594 pounds. They also can reach up to 1.3- 2 meters (4.25-6.5 feet) tall. 

As we can imagine from their names, black bears’ fur is black in appearance. However, what you might know is that black bears can also look dark brown and even tan. 

These bears are omnivores and, as such, will eat fruits, nuts, and various types of rodents to keep their diet. 

Common predators of the black bear are foxes, birds of prey, and even grizzly bears. 

Is It Normal Behavior for Bears to Pursue Honey?

Bears undoubtedly love honey. They have sweet receptors on their tongue, drawing them to honey. Their keen sense of smell can even smell honey over a mile away. But, when a bear pursues a beehive, it’s not just honey she’s after. Bears also eat bees and their larvae, which are excellent sources of protein. Brown bears and black bears crave honey the most of all bears. Once they have a taste of honey and what comes with it, they want more. They will even break into places such as farms in pursuit of beehives. Polar bears, however, who do not have access to honey in their environment, are not drawn to honey.