Can bears climb trees?

Question

Can bears climb trees?

Answer 1

Almost all black bears are excellent tree climbers, as are most young grizzlies.  Older grizzlies generally are not inclined to climb trees, but it is not entirely unheard of them to do so.  Polar bears don't normally encounter trees, but they could probably climb as well as a grizzly.

Koala "bears" aren't bears but I mention them because they live in Eucalyptus trees most of the time.  

The Malaysian Sun Bear spends much of its time in the trees, but you probably weren't asking about them.

You cannot rely on climbing a tree to avoid a bear attack.  Among other reasons, a bear could probably charge and maul you before you even got up the tree.

Avoid bears, don't surprise them, and carry pepper spray or a gun and stand your ground if you encounter one.  If you run, you'll get turned into bear turds.

Answer 2

Yes and I've seen full grown black bears go so fast up a tree that they're actually running up the tree.

A full grown grizzly can't climb certain types of trees, but a large tree with limbs close to the ground will be an easy climb.  

How do I know? I spend months at a time in bear country (black/grizzly) and have observed them a lot.  I have been charged four times by black bears and its definitely a heart stopper.

Answer 3

yes really well.  

Answer 4

Of course they can - probably faster than you can. Don't you remember the legend of Smoky Bear? He was supposedly found half-way up a burned tree after a forest fire, and became the "mascot" for the fire prevention education program.

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

Some species can others can't. I was watching a special on Animal planet in which a baby black bear escaped from a grizzly by climbing up a pine tree.

Answer 7

yes. bears can climb trees.

Answer 8

yeahh.

Answer 9

Black bears can. Depending on the size of the tree a grizzly bear can knock it down.