Many people think they can identify a bear purely based on its coloring, but that isn’t always true. Black bears can be brown, and sometimes a grizzly bear can even resemble a panda, at least in one case in Wyoming.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department shared a video of the bear in question on social media.
Here it is:
In the short clip, a zoomed-in camera focuses on a sitting bear with light fur that almost appears white. Some darker markings make the bear have some panda-like qualities.
“Think you know what kind of bear this is? Based on its coloring, it’s kind of giving…panda bear?” wrote Wyoming wildlife officials.
Obviously, this clip out of Wyoming means there are only two real options for what kind of bear it is. Grizzly, also known as a brown bear, or a black bear. For the record, panadas can only be found in the wild mountains of southwest China.
But the video is more meant to act as a lesson for people visiting the outdoors. Their point is that both bear species native to the lower 48 states can share a lot of features and colors. Knowing which bear is which can be essential for staying safe on trails and other outdoor activities.
Grizzly Bears vs. Black Bears
Despite sharing some qualities, Wyoming wildlife officials broke down how to tell the difference between brown and black bears.
Grizzly bears:
1) Prominent shoulder hump
2) Short, rounded ears
3) Dished facial profile
4) Long, straight claws, 3-4 inches
5) Inline toes
Black bears:
1) Lack of shoulder hump
2) Tall pointed ears
3) Straight facial profile
4) Short, curved claws, 1-2 inches
5) Toes not inline
Knowing what kind of bear you see is important. According to the National Park Service, in the event of an attack, people should fight back against black bears. With grizzly bears, however, you should play dead, since fighting back can make the situation worse. If the attack persists, then fight back with everything you have.