Do brown bear attack humans more often than black bears?

Question

Do brown bear attack humans more often than black bears?

Answer 1

Sure, black bears usually stay away from brown bears.

Answer 2

actually black bears have more encounters (and therefor more attacks) than brown bears.  Black bears and humans share more habitat and they can survive with encroachment.  Brown bears have a much harder time.  

The reason you may think that is that the brown bear attacks are more violent and often more newsworthy.  Also more deadly, although you can still be killed rather easily by a black bear.

Answer 3

First you need to specify what species of bear you are referring to.  Then what continent you are referring to. I will discuss them as relates to the U.S.

The black bear can be any color from an almost white to brown, reddish to very black.  The are all the same species.  They do not always breed true to their color.  They are the mildest of the American bears but because they are so wide spread they have more contact with man so result in more conflicts. Pearls discussion of conflicts covers the causes very well.

The brown bears include the great brown bears of Alaska and the Grizzle bear in the US and Alaska.  They are far less tolerant to human presence and attacks result more often in death than injury.  But contacts are far fewer.

Family Ursedae

Grizzly bear-Ursedae Horribilis

Great Brown bear-Ursedae middendorffii

American black bear-Ursedae americanus

Answer 4

Black Bears and Brown Bears are actually the same species, just different color phases.  Among bears these bears are usually the most docile.  Yet, all bears are very strong and completely unpredictable.  They will kill you at the drop of a hat, and can attack for no apparent reason.  Do not trust bears.  They are considered the most dangerous animals at the zoo, and are the only non-primate kept behind bars instead of chain link fence.

Answer 5

BLACK AND BROWN BEARS HAVE EVOLVED DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL. The adaptations of both species have molded their relationships-and reactions-to people. Black bears are excellent climbers. When a black bear is threatened it usually runs from the threat or goes up a tree. With cubs out of danger, female black bears don't have to make vigorous defenses-risking potential injury. Although black bears tend to retreat from people, they are still incredibly strong animals that can cause injuries. Brown bears live in coastal forests but have also learned to exploit treeless habitat. They are more likely than black bears to defend themselves when threatened. A brown bear's first line of defense is to retreat, but it can be very aggressive towards other bears and people it perceives as threats.

Black bears seem to rely more on sheer bluffing than on charging and mauling. Those rare instances in which a black bear presses an attack can probably be grouped into two categories: First, a female protecting her cubs, particularly if she is also habituated and food-conditioned; or second, a bear that has no experience with humans and may regard them as possible prey.

Bears attack other bears, other animals, and people because they have genetically programmed types of aggressive behaviors that pertain to population regulation, survival defense, and predatory aggression. This doesn't mean that there aren't other factors involved in some attacks, or that people don't contribute to some attacks.

Though we have established the fact that bears are unpredictable, there are four situations that are most likely to cause a bear to attack. By knowing what they are we can work to avoid getting into these types of situations.

1. When a person encounters a protective sow with cubs. An average of 78% of all attacks are related to these encounters.

2. When a bear is surprised, or startled.

3. When a human gets too close to a bear's food supply.

4. Predatory Bear (When the bear intends to eat you).

Regardless of the situation, surprise is one of the leading causes of bear attacks. A surly solitary bear, who is startled by a hiker on a trail, may run away or aggressively confront the hiker. Most injury encounters with bears occur when the person gets within 55 yards before the bear is aware of his presence. Mark's experience changed his life. Since then, he has dedicated himself to improving a product designed to safeguard people against maulings, and to help them better coexist with wildlife.Bears attack other bears, other animals, and people because they have genetically programmed types of aggressive behaviors that pertain to population regulation, survival defense, and predatory aggression. This doesn't mean that there aren't other factors involved in some attacks, or that people don't contribute to some attacks.

Though we have established the fact that bears are unpredictable, there are four situations that are most likely to cause a bear to attack. By knowing what they are we can work to avoid getting into these types of situations.

1. When a person encounters a protective sow with cubs. An average of 78% of all attacks are related to these encounters.

2. When a bear is surprised, or startled.

3. When a human gets too close to a bear's food supply.

4. Predatory Bear (When the bear intends to eat you).

Regardless of the situation, surprise is one of the leading causes of bear attacks. A surly solitary bear, who is startled by a hiker on a trail, may run away or aggressively confront the hiker. Most injury encounters with bears occur when the person gets within 55 yards before the bear is aware of his presence. Mark's experience changed his life. Since then, he has dedicated himself to improving a product designed to safeguard people against maulings, and to help them better coexist with wildlife.