Black bears and cougars are the top predators in the animal kingdom. Everyone is his own “king”. Fighting in the animal kingdom is as common as fighting among humans. Animals can fight for territory, food, or a thousand other reasons. If you’ve ever wondered which animal might win a black bear vs. cougar fight, here’s a breakdown of how the matchup might go.
Black Bear vs. Mountain Lion – Black Bear
The black bear (also known as the American black bear or the savage bear) is a species of bear native to North America. It occupies large areas of the forested regions of North America, but is now found mostly in sparsely populated forests. Black bears can also be found in densely vegetated mountains (1,300 to 9,800 feet above sea level). This is the area where they may encounter cougars. Contrary to popular belief, black bears would rather run than fight when faced with a choice. However, this does not affect their combat effectiveness at all.
Black Bear vs. Mountain Lion – Mountain Lion
The puma, also known as the cougar, panther or cougar, is a species of big cat native to the Americas. It has the widest ecosystem range of any mammal in the Americas. It can live anywhere, including forests, mountains, wetlands and deserts, as long as there is food (prey) and shelter. Like other big cats, they are fast, strong, and ferocious, and can hold their own in a fight with most animals.
Key factors in black bear vs. mountain lion fight
There are several factors to consider to determine who wins in a battle between a black bear and a mountain lion. Some of the key factors to consider are size, speed, survival skills and offensive capabilities.
Black Bear vs. Cougar: Size
Black bears are large, stout animals. They range in length from 4.3 feet to 6.2 feet, with some reaching 6.6 feet. The average black bear weighs between 132 and 661 pounds. Its small head rests firmly on a strong neck. The animal possesses extraordinary physical strength, and its curved, non-retractable claws make it a ferocious opponent.
Cougars vary in size by geographic location, but are typically 6 to 8 feet long. The animal’s most distinctive feature is its long tail, which accounts for about one-third of its body length. Cougars weigh between 110 and 200 pounds.
Black bears are larger in size and weight than mountain lions. So, considering their size, black bears have an advantage over cats.
Black Bear vs. Mountain Lion: Speed and Movement
Despite their size and size, black bears are very fast – at least much faster than humans. Their top speed is about 35 mph (56 km/h). They are also incredibly agile for such a large animal, as they have been known to climb trees as high as 100 feet in seconds.
Cougars have very fast and powerful legs. They can run at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour). Like most other big cats, they are incredibly agile, covering distances of up to 45 feet in a single jump. Their agility also allows them to jump up to 18 feet towards tree branches and fall from a height of 65 feet without taking any damage.
While the bears are also very fast and agile, the mountain lion easily wins this round.
Bears vs. Mountain Lions: Physical Defenses
Black bears can stand on their hind legs and fluff their fur to make them appear larger to their opponents. They growl, bark, clench their jaws, and tap the ground with their paws. They also have tough skin, making it harder for opponents’ blows to penetrate.
Cougars are larger than most mammals. They rely on this, along with their speed, aggression and terrifying scream, as their defense mechanism. While that might be enough to put off many animals, it’s unlikely to work against black bears.
Black bears have stronger defenses than mountain lions and have the upper hand in fights.
Bears vs. Mountain Lions: Offensive Strength
The main weapons of a black bear are its teeth and front claws. Black bears maintain a bipedal position while fighting, allowing them to grab and grapple their opponents. They can deliver powerful blows with their claws and cut them with four-inch claws. Between clinging and grappling, it will also bite its opponents until they give up and run away. The teeth are 2.5 inches long and have a bite force of over 800 PSI (pounds per square inch).
Cougars fight primarily with their teeth. It inflicts damage on the opponent with a series of powerful bites. Its teeth are about two inches long and have a bite force of 400 PSI, much less than that of a black bear. It also has a 2.5-inch long claw for cutting and grabbing other animals.
In combat, the black bear has a huge advantage over the cougar due to its stronger bite, larger size, greater weight and longer claws.
Black Bears and Mountain Lions: Intellect and Senses
Black bears have powerful senses. They can smell things up to a mile away and even see things up to 50 yards away at night. They also have better hearing than humans. These heightened senses are evidence of a high level of intelligence. Black bears are also curious and sociable.
Cougars are smart, old-fashioned felines. They lead a solitary and territorial lifestyle. They use body signs, such as droppings, paw prints, and pheromones, to mark their territory.
Black bears seem to be smarter than cougars, which can come in handy in a fight.
Who won the black bear vs cougar fight?
This black bear vs cougar battle has a landslide winner. Every indicator points to the Black Bear being the winner in this contest. It has a larger body, primarily to scare off opponents, and an effective defense mechanism.
Bears are also far more aggressive than lions. Its bite is twice as powerful as that of a mountain lion; it can stand on its hind legs, grab with its long claws, and pack a punch. The only advantage a cougar has over a black bear is speed and agility. However, black bears are also quite agile. The bear is also the smarter animal in this game, so the mountain lion can’t beat it.
The battle won’t end with a single blow, though. It could go on for a few minutes unless one of them (presumably the lion) retreats. In a fight to the death, the bear could end up killing the cougar, but it won’t be an easy fight.
The only chance a mountain lion has of winning a fight is if it strikes first from behind. This is how it hunts, attacking the target from the back, then bites the neck ferociously, and then bites endlessly until the animal dies. If the mountain lion can pull off this tactic in a fight with a black bear, it may have a chance of winning.
However, the bear has a large frame, which makes it harder for the lion to pull it off successfully. Add to that the bear’s thick fur and sheer strength, and the lion’s chances of winning are even slimmer.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.