Site Directory

MountainNature Home
Ward Cameron Ent.
Contact Us
Nature Forecast
Geology
 Climate
Ecology
Plants
Animals
Birds

Bear Safety
->Test Your Knowledge
->Bear Identification
->Bear Encounters
->Bear Signs
->Seasonal Foods
->Safe Camping Tips
->Living With Bears
->Bears & Bikes
->Trail Reports
->Warn A Neighbour

Carnivore Safety
Sightings Database
Web TV Network
Join the Discussion
Share Your Stories
Researchers Click Here
Book a Guided Tour
News and Views
Questions (FAQ)
Feedback
Books

 

Test Your Knowledge of Bears

The Rocky Mountains offer some of the most spectacular trails on the continent. Those same trails are home to many large carnivores, in particular black and grizzly bears, wolves and cougars. We must learn to share our  travel corridors with these powerful animals.

Before you head out, you need to learn as much as possible about these amazing creatures. Knowledge of their habits and diet is the best way  to avoid unexpected encounters. Take this test to see whether you need to upgrade your knowledge.

Your comments and answers will be used to help improve public education and also to help influence management decisions. We will also post your comments for other site users to read.

Grizzly Bear Diet

The diet of bears varies throughout the season. They move through a variety of habitats in search of seasonally changing food supplies. Hikers need to know these seasonal movements to safely avoid an unwanted encounter. 

1. In August, many of the berries of the Rockies ripen. Canadian buffaloberry (also known as soapberry or soopolallie) is the single most critical food for black and grizzly bears during this period. Of the following images, identify this critical Plant

If you need a closer look, click on the image to view a larger picture

Berry 1 Berry 2 Berry 3 Berry 4

Click to see a larger view of this plant

 Click to see a larger view of this plant Click to see a larger view of this plant Click to see a larger view of this plant

2. How many buffaloberries can an adult grizzly eat in a single day?

A. 10,000
B. 50,000
C. 100,000
D. 200,000

3. Spring foods include plants like glacier lily and many members of the pea family. At this time of year, the bears are very hungry and will seek out areas with plants in the appropriate stage of growth. Which stage is most nutritious for bears.

A. New leaves freshly sprouted
B. Flowers freshly blooming
C. Late flower stage
D. Seed Stage

Bear Encounters

4. What is the recommended course of action if a sudden daytime encounter with a bear results in an attack?

A. Run away
B. Fight Back
C. Play Dead
D. Give up

5. If you believe the bear has been stalking you, what is the recommended course of action?

A. Run away
B. Fight Back
C. Play Dead
D. Give up

6. Grizzly bears cannot climb trees

True
False

7. Bear Bells are an effective way to avoid a bear encounter

True
False

8. Bear spray may help to deter an attack when used in the following manner

A. Sprayed on first encountering the bear to serve as a warning
B. Sprayed if a bear bluff charges, but before close approach
C. Sprayed when the bear approaches within 10 m (30 feet)
D. Sprayed only as a last resort at very close range (less than 5 m or 15 ft)

9. How fast can a bear run?

A. 30 km/hr (18 m.p.h.)
B. 50 km/hr (30 m.p.h.)
C.20 km/hr (12 m.p.h.)
D.60 km/hr (36 m.p.h.)

10. How close can you safely approach a grizzly bear?

A. 20 metres (65 ft)
B. 50 metres (150 ft)
C. 100 metres (325 ft)
D. 200 metres (650 ft) 

Conservation and Management

11. In the Central Rockies, female grizzlies usually begin reproducing by what year?

A. 2-3 Years
B. 4-5 Years
C. 5-6 Years
D. 6-7 Years

12. Female grizzlies in the Central Rockies give birth on average...

A. Every year
B. Every 2 Years
C. Every 3 Years
D. Every 4 Years

13. In order to preserve a viable grizzly population, human caused mortality of breeding females must be kept below...

A. 1-2% of the population
B. 5-10% of the population
C. 10-15% of the population
D. 20-25% of the population