Bees are one of the most important pollinators. They are also essential to our food supply, and they help maintain biodiversity in forests and grasslands. Simply put, bees have a lot to offer us, but what about bears?
Many people wonder if bees sting bears at all. The short answer is yes, specifically when bears try to get some freshly-harvested honey from their hives.
Apart from the fact that bees sting bears to protect their harvest, let’s take a look at some of the other reasons behind bees stinging bears!
Bears and more: Who else do bees sting?
Bees sting people, bears, and other animals. Bees sting because they are protecting their hive. A bee’s primary goal in life is to protect the queen bee and her hive of developing bees by any means necessary. This includes attacking anything that threatens the safety of their home, including humans, bears, and other animals.
Humans are susceptible to the adverse effects of bee stings because our bodies respond differently to the effects of bee venom than a bear’s body does. When stung by a bee, the probability of a human having an allergic reaction is far higher than that of a bear.
If you come across bees while trekking through bear country or in your own garden (or if you come across a bear while hiking through bear country), it is advisable to avoid getting too close to them unless there is no other way out of the situation; even then, you should move with care!
Is bear skin thick enough to prevent bee stings?
Do bears have thick enough skin to prevent bee stings? This is a great question, and the answer is “yes.” Bears have tough skin that protects them from the elements, so bee stings are not something they worry about. They also don’t react badly to bee stings or other insect bites, which makes sense. Why would a bear be allergic to bees when it eats honey all the time?
Bears are able to sense pain just like any other animal, and they are most definitely not immune to it. Nevertheless, their thick fur coats prevent them from being harmed by sharp items like the thorns that are found in trees. This same layer of protection also helps keep bear skin safe from bee stings, sparing them from experiencing significant damage as a result of just one sting alone!
Furthermore, bears have a thick layer of fat beneath their skin that keeps insects out, especially huge ones like bees, so there is no need to be concerned about this aspect of their anatomy either.
Do bears like honey?
First, let’s start with the most obvious question: do bears like honey? Well, yes and no.
Bears are omnivorous, which means they eat plants and animals. But unlike humans or other animals that eat both plants and animals (like cows or pigs), bears appear to be less picky when it comes to what they consume.
In fact, some studies have shown that bears can eat up to 5 to 20 thousand calories per day—and this is just during the spring months when food sources are limited! So while it’s true that bears do need protein in their diet (mainly from fish), they also benefit from carbohydrates in fruit and sugar sources like berries or honeydew melons.
But do bears really enjoy sweet things? Well, sometimes, depending on the seasonality. You see, when you think about a bear eating something sweet such as berries or honey, those things have high sugar content, which gives them energy to go out and about throughout the day.
What if the bees sting the bears’ eyes?
There are many different explanations as to why bees will not attack bears. One reason is that they dislike the odor that bears leave behind. They find the aroma of honey to be offensive. They dislike the odor of bear fur, as well as bear sweat and bear urine.
Also, bears won’t have to worry about being attacked by bees while they’re enjoying their picnic; the insects won’t be coming after them.
Would a bear eat a bee hive?
It’s a good question, and the answer is “probably not.” Bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They’re also opportunistic eaters, which means that if a bee hive happens to be in their path when they’re hungry, they’ll take advantage of it.
However, bees aren’t usually on a bear’s menu because bees can sting bears’ eyes and noses and make them sneeze (if you didn’t know this already). These defensive tactics are enough for most bears to steer clear of hives altogether. But if you do ever run into a bear eating out of your honey pot, remember: don’t get between them and their food!
What are the odds of a bee stinging a bear?
While we have learned that bees can sting bears, the odds are very low that they will. Bees do not like to sting, and most would rather leave you alone if you don’t bother them. If a honeybee or bumblebee feels threatened by you or your actions—such as when they think you’re trying to steal their food—the bee may attack.
It also depends on how hungry, angry, or defensive the bees are feeling at any given time. For example, if a bear approaches a hive looking for food and doesn’t leave after being repeatedly stung by bees who want him out of their home (which could be perceived by those inside as an act of aggression), then it’s fair to say that some unfortunate bears might get stung on occasion!
Conclusion
It’s unlikely that a bee will sting a bear, but it’s not impossible. Keep in mind that bees are very territorial and will only sting if they feel threatened. Bears can be scary creatures, but their thick skin makes them unlikely targets for bees. Bees also have good reason to avoid bears, as they may eat the honey or destroy their homes!
