Grizzly bears are among the most dangerous animals in North America, thanks to their immense size, strength, speed, and bone-crushing bite.
Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are a North American subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), distinguished by their muscular build, concave facial profile and long claws adapted for digging.
Despite their sheer size and power, they are not naturally aggressive toward people and usually only attack if startled, provoked, defending cubs, or competing for food. Fatal encounters are rare – averaging just two to three per year, though non-fatal incidents happen more often.
According to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, the best way to stay safe is to practice bear awareness: make noise while hiking, carry bear spray and avoid surprising bears or approaching their young.
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A hiker in Alaska captured a tense encounter on his phone as a mother grizzly and her two cubs trailed behind him along a park trail.
While many would have frozen in fear, 74-year-old Geoffrey Glassner stayed calm as the bears continued to follow. Hoping they would eventually veer off, he kept walking steadily – but the cubs pressed on, with their protective mother close at their heels.
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Top image: a grizzly bear in Alaska. Credit: Getty