Black Bears Conference
Interaction with humans
Symbolism
Lynn Rogers proved that black bears aren't as vicious as people thoght
Dr Stingham began research for bear communication during summer of 1972
Found movements and things they do to express their feeling using body language
Found when bears huff that it is an indication that you are to close and the bear feels their space is violated and that person may be in danger. Happens when nervous
Extended lip: a sign of displeasure
Jaw popping: an extension of huffing, not a threatful action, is for nervousness
Flicking gaze: reluctant to make eye contact with the other person or animal
Bluff charge: more popular than an aggressive charge and not an attack. It's an attempt to push you away so he has enough space to retreat. They end with only a few feet and sometimes hit the ground. Once the bear has its space it will calm down .
Appeasement actions are sometimes followed by nervousness. It's followed by many actions
Lowering of head or turning head sideways: this means they're unwilling to start any trouble
Backing away: this deference to yourself as the bigger, stronger bear.
No eye contact: a direct intent to avoid a challenge
Aggressive movements
Offensive aggression movements
Defensive aggressive movements
Mouth open: as with defensive aggression, this communicates a willingness or in the case of offensive aggression, a desire to fight.
Mouth open: a sparing pose and communicates to the opponent a will to fight if they need to.
Ears flat: the ears flattened against the skull signals aggressive intent and is also used to protect the sensitive ears from injury in the event of a confrontation .
Moaning: produced mostly as a minor warning to a possible threat
Roaring: used to either proclaim territory or intimidate an adversary. Their anger is increasing
Raised hackles : The hair on the back of the bear's neck stands straight up, displaying a menacing appearance.
Turning sideways : an act of intimidation, showing off their size.
Head down: the signals a reluctance fight. The lower the head the greater the reluctance. If it moans or roars while its head is down they're saying they will fight but prefer not to.
Eye contact: while defensive aggression may involve some degree of eye contact, a lack of it is an indicator.
Ears flat: as with defensive behavior, this signals aggressive intent and protects the ears from injury.
Head held high: In defensive aggression ,the head is held low to signal reluctance to fight.
Eye contact: direct, locked eye contact is a strong challenge and a sign of high aggression
Stingham found movements when bears are also aggressive. There are offensive and defensive aggression movements.
Offensive aggression
Defensive aggression
Mouth open: this when a sparring pose and communicates to the opponent a willingness to fight if needed.
Mouth open: as with defensive aggression , this communicates a willingness or in the case of offensive aggression , a desire to fight.
Ears flat: The ears flattened against the skull signals and used to protect the ears from injur if the animals fight.
Moaning: used mostly as mild warnings to potential threats.
Roaring: used to either proclaim territory or intimidated an adversary
Raised hackles: the hair on the back of the bear's neck stands straight up, displaying a menacing appearance.
Turning sideways: an act of intimidation, showing off the animal's size.
Head down: this signals a reluctance to fight. The lower the head the greater the reluctance.
Eye contact: while defensive aggression may involve some degree of eye contact, a lack of it is an indicator of reluctance
Ears flat: as with defensive behavior, this signals aggressive intent and protects the ears from injury.
Head held high: in defensive aggression the head is held low to signal reluctance to fight. This is is one of the strongest possible displays of aggression and makes this set of behaviors stand out from a devensive stance.
Eye contact: direct locked eye contact is a strong challenge and a sign of high aggression
There was a story where 3 Cubs and a mother bear were being threatened by another bear so they went to a zoo to be safe. They radio collared the mom and found that the mother had passed away so the bear fortress raised the 3 cubs.
A black bear that Rogers was studying named Lily , Rogers had to do heart measurements and Lily started walking towards Rogers. Then Lily made a dove like sound to her cubs which means that there's no danger.
Bears symbolize wisdom, strength, and healing