Who is out here putting mirrors in the woods? I mean, one would think that some type of zoologists or wildlife biologists are out there setting up trail cameras and mirrors in order to gain some kind of scientific understanding how how bears operate in the wild.
But… I honestly think it’s just random people who want to make some funny videos. And they are funny… animals doing unconventional things is always funny. Animal Planet made an entire show out of it….
Last year, the internet was stunned by a viral video of a bear looking at itself in the mirror, and it was so freaked out by what it saw, it started to jump around like it was on a trampoline. Needless to say, it’s not everyday that a bear sees a mirror out in the middle of the woods and it most likely thought it was coming face to face with another bear.
With that being said, we have yet another bear encounter with a mirror in the woods, and while its not quite as explosive, the reaction is equally as hilarious. In this video from the Pacific Northwest, the black bear doesn’t react quite as violently its own reflection, more so, it’s just completely confused and hesitant. Peeking around the corner, backing up, peeking back around… it reminds me of a scene from and old cartoon.
At one point, the bear stands up tall to assert its dominance over the other bear, but quickly realizes that the bear it is facing doesn’t have a head anymore. It’s actually quite surprising how calm and collected this bear is, patiently trying to figure out what is going on.
Once it realizes something fishy is going on, it gets spooked and jumps backwards a few feet before high tailing it out of there.
Check it out:
Black bears are among North America’s most iconic wildlife species. Black bears are found in 40 U.S. states and throughout Canada, inhabiting a variety of landscapes, including forests, swamps, and mountainous terrain. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, which helps them navigate their diverse environments and find food efficiently. This particular bear comes from Oregon, which has a healthy population of black bears… on of the highest in the continental United States.
Males are typically larger than females, with adult males weighing between 200-600 pounds, while females range from 100-400 pounds. Black bears are omnivores with a highly adaptable diet. Their meals consist of fruits, nuts, seeds, fish and small mammals, as well as carrion, trash and bugs. Their keen sense of smell—one of the best in the animal kingdom—helps them locate food from miles away.
Interactions With Humans
As human development expands into bear habitats, encounters are becoming more common. While black bears generally avoid humans, they can become bold if they associate people with food. To prevent conflicts, it’s essential to:
– Secure trash and food sources
– Use bear-proof containers while camping
– Respect wildlife by keeping a safe distance
– Conservation Status
While black bear populations are stable in many areas, habitat destruction and human-bear conflicts pose ongoing challenges. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, wildlife corridors, and educating people about coexisting safely with these magnificent animals.
