# is it real that if you lay down on the floor (pretending that you´re dead) while a li **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426 "2003-05-30T01:53:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Vega-TxT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/dfb087/32.png) [@Vega-TxT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vega-TxT)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/1 "2003-05-30T01:53:03Z")
is it real that if you lay down on the floor (pretending that you´re dead) while a lion/bear is near you it will go away without attacking? ---
**Author:** ![viking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@viking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/viking)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/2 "2003-05-30T01:56:58Z")
That would depend on why the lion/ bear is attacking you. If it sees you as a threat, and is attacking you until such time as you stop being a threat, then you pretending to be dead will make it think it has accomplished its mission, and it will go away. If, on the other hand, it sees you as dinner, and is attacking you until you stop resisting being eaten, then once you start playing dead, it will start eating you. ---
**Author:** ![billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/3 "2003-05-30T01:57:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Vega-TxT \* > \*\*is it real that if you lay down on the floor (pretending that you´re dead) while a lion/bear is near you it will go away without attacking? \*\* I can’t speak for bears but for lions you are supposed to throw a fit, yell, scream, wave your arms, and whatever else you can do to show the lion you are not afraid of it short of charging it. They figure if you’re not afraid of them, you’re probably not what they’re supposed to eat, or at least will be too much trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/4 "2003-05-30T02:01:54Z")
It depends on the reason for the attack. Playing dead while the animal is hunting you is a bad idea. Both lions and bears are certainly not above eating a dead animal, so if it’s a predatory attack, your best bet is to fight back–throw things at the animal, yell, wave your arms, hit it with sticks, whatever. Basically make it not with the animal’s time and effort to continue. If it’s a protective attack, on the other hand, such as a female defending her young against a perceived threat, then playing dead is a good thing. Once the animal feels the threat has been eliminated, the attack usually stops, at least in the case of bears. You can tell the difference, at least in bears, since a predatory attack is prefaced by stalking and observing behavior and is generally silent, while a protective attack is immediate and signalled by loud growls and roars. ---
**Author:** ![\_Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/e47c2d/32.png) [@\_Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Tim)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/5 "2003-05-30T02:42:52Z")
For bears, at least for North American bears which normally are either black or grizzly in the areas I’ve been in- If it’s a black bear, **billy** ’s advice is good, they will back down if confronted except to protect young- if you happen to be between a female and her cubs - and possibly to protect a food source. If it’s a grizzly, then playing dead is the best strategy, even to the point of letting it maul you a bit, as intimidation doesn’t work at all. Grizzlies instinctively know they’re the toughest thing in the woods. Heck, they often take kills from wolf packs, which keeps them in fighting readiness 🙂 In either case, being loud _before_ you get anywhere near the bear is best- as both types will default to avoiding loud humans. Neither recognizes humans as a food source under normal circumstances… unless it’s starving it’ll avoid humans as not particularly appetizing. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/6 "2003-05-30T03:16:15Z")
They had a bit on this on a recent show on TV…Worst Case Scenarios (IIRC). They mentioned what to do if attacked by a bear…I guess they skipped lions as they aren’t usually a problem in the US. Playing dead was, by _all_ expert accounts, the last thing you should do…literally. There are a number of things you want to do before playing dead and only play dead when all other avenues have failed and you are being mauled. Bears don’t generally see humans as prey so often you can get the bear to leave you alone…not always though. DO NOT run! It engages the prey instinct and the bear will chase you down and they can run very fast (surprisingly fast given their ungainly demeanor most of the time…much faster than any human). Do not climb a tree as bears can climb trees too. Stay facing the bear, raise your arms to look bigger and back away. Making noise seems to help. They mentioned a night attack by a bear (i.e. you are in your tent and the bear is coming in) means forget about playing dead or backing away slowly. A night attack means the bear has sought you out and thinks you are food. Fight it with any means at your disposal. ---
**Author:** ![MajorTom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@MajorTom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MajorTom)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/7 "2003-05-30T03:38:38Z")
Black vs: brown (grizzly) bears. Black bears like their food warm and will immediately gut you and eat you on the spot. Best thing to do if being stalked is to remove a piece of clothing , drop it in the trail then back up faster. the bear is curious and stops to smell etc. then drop another piece while retreating faster etc etc. get some distance between you and the bear. If it’s a brown or grizzly. once he has you let him maul you and play dead. He will likely drag you away and bury you under a pile of leaves or something and come back to eat after you’ve cooled off. A black bear when attacking will stand and gut you with a hind claw and start on your entrails while you’re still alive. Take a look at the claws and you will see that survival of an actual attack is at best infrequent. People who show you some kind of a scar on their back and attribute it to a bear attack probably only had some sex with a psycho from hell. If you climb a tree and wonder what kind of bear it is, just wait. The black will climb up and get you, and the brown will simply shake you out of the tree. Running downhill beats the hell out of running uphill, but they can still beat you. Best bet is to never be alone. That way you don’t have to outrun the bear, you only have to outrun your partner. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/8 "2003-05-30T04:48:34Z")
I’m having a hard time trying to figure out which parts of **MajorTom** ’s post is serious, and which is joking. Bears have personalities, are intelligent and curious, they don’t all behave the same way. Still, there are some generalities: For Black Bears: Fight! Before the encounter becomes conflict, stand tall, speak loudly and firmly, act big. Black bears don’t want conflict and will back away from a serious threat. Don’t turn your back to the bear or play dead. If the black bear does attack, fight with everything you’ve got. Kick, yell, throw things, make the bear think that whatever you are, you’re not worth the effort. For Grizzly Bears: Avoid, but if that doesn’t work, play dead. Your main defense is to make the bear aware of your presence if necessary, so it won’t be a surprise. Otherwise go out of your way to avoid them. In the rare event of an attack, play dead. [http://www.nwtwildlife.rwed.gov.nt.ca/Publications/safetyinbearcountry/whattodo.htm](http://www.nwtwildlife.rwed.gov.nt.ca/Publications/safetyinbearcountry/whattodo.htm) > **[Bear Safety: What You Need to Know](https://www.tripsavvy.com/bear-safety-tips-3361625)** > > These bear safety tips will help you to minimize your risk when you are traveling in areas that are home to bears. [http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/bearfacts/encounter.html#Attack](http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/bearfacts/encounter.html#Attack) [http://www.bebearawaresw.org/#F](http://www.bebearawaresw.org/#F) [http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/visit/brochures/bears/](http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/visit/brochures/bears/) [http://www.usscouts.org/safety/safe\_bea.html#BB\_Human](http://www.usscouts.org/safety/safe_bea.html#BB_Human) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/9 "2003-05-30T05:16:50Z")
Some additional bear safety advice: [quote] The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is advising bikers, hikers, hunters and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field. It is advised that outdoorsmen wear small bells on their clothing and shoes to alert bears in the area who aren’t expecting them. It is also advised that outdoorsmen carry Pepper Spray at all times in case of a bear encounter. It is advised to watch out for fresh bear sign activity. You should be able to recognize the difference between Black Bear and Brown Bear sign. [ul][li]Black Bear sign is smaller and contains berries.Brown Bear sign is larger and contains many small bells and smells like pepper.[/ul][/li][/quote] [http://adfg.ak.gov/safety/bears.htm](http://www.kenaipeninsula.com/advisory.html) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/10 "2003-05-30T05:33:17Z")
Pepper spray does seem to be quite effective. The show I watched mentioned it several times and showed it being used on a bear that got too close. The bear did not like it one bit and ran away. I recall a thread on this board from a long time ago that discussed guns vs. bears. The consensus seemed to be that you had better have a pretty big gun…especially against grizzlies or especially Kodiaks (a very large type of grizzlie). They joked about some guy having a .38 revolver he meant to use for bear protection. The advice to that guy was to file down the sight as it wouldn’t hurt as much when the bear took it away from him and shoved it up his ass ;). Honestly, besides avoiding the bear in the first place (wearing bells, talking loudly, etc.) the pepper spray seemed the best bet. Harmless but annoying and nothing has to die. ---
**Author:** ![johncole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f9b8f/32.png) [@johncole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johncole)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/11 "2003-05-30T06:38:14Z")
Are there any first-hand accounts from people who have survived a lion/bear confrontation by playing dead? I guess there won’t be many reports from people who tried playing dead and didn’t get away with it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/12 "2003-05-30T06:55:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by johncole \* > \*\*Are there any first-hand accounts from people who have survived a lion/bear confrontation by playing dead? \*\* [Here’s one:](http://www.aquapac.net/somelikeitwet/extreme/bearattack.html) > [@](#): > > \*\*Having just finished surveying a watershed and preparing to return to the agreed meeting point, Rob noticed a large black bear approaching him, but seeing bears in that area was not unusual and most tried to run away into the woods. Unfortunately, this one had a different idea. > > “The animal grabbed me by the left hip in its jaws and lifted me off the ground, throwing me over its shoulder and across a small ravine” > > The bear eventually wandered away while a blood-soaked Rob curled into the foetal position and played dead. > > Rob waited 15 minutes before slowly getting up. The bear had bitten through to his pelvis, but he didn’t let that stop him from walking out to radio to summon help.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/13 "2003-05-30T06:59:07Z")
[Here’s another:](http://www.bear.org/Black/BlackBearResearch/Research_Update_09-21-02.html) > [@](#): > > \*\*Miles Becker, a 24-year-old woodcock researcher from Cornell University, was radio-tracking woodcocks near Milaca in central Minnesota. He was wearing earphones and listening to the static and beeps of radio signals. The first he knew of the bear is when it hit him, he said. He fought it for a couple minutes and then played dead. Immediately, the bear ceased attacking and left, showing that it was not a predatory attack. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/14 "2003-05-30T07:44:41Z")
I was told once that bears didn’t like horses. Is that true? That you’re generally safe on horseback because bears don’t like horses? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/15 "2003-05-30T12:35:34Z")
Mmmm…human entrails. Maybe someone can now tell us how to distinguish between a black bear and a grizzly. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/16 "2003-05-30T14:57:26Z")
- - - A relative who lives in Alasks says when a bear comes near the house and starts rooting around, they open the door and bang pots and pans together. Bear leaves every time. -Or at least, has so far. (I dunno if this is blacks or browns, she lives inland somewhat, so probably it’s blacks) ~ ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/17 "2003-05-30T15:05:11Z")
I would also think a **.44 Mag** or **.454 Casull** would do the trick… ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/18 "2003-05-30T15:07:13Z")
If we assume lions in North America refer to mountain lions, I’ll take a bear encounter any day. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/19 "2003-05-30T15:07:46Z")
I had an encounter with a black bear. I’ve always been told to make noise and wave your arms around. He/She ran away before I had my arms halfway up. Still scared the shit out of me. And don’t believe that crap about bears can’t run downhill. This one did, and I’ve never seen an animal move that fast. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426/20 "2003-05-30T15:59:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crafter\_Man \* > \*\*I would also think a **.44 Mag** or **.454 Casull** would do the trick… \*\* Maybe, maybe not… [Brown bear mauls Kasilof teen](http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/ns-search/stories/051403/ala_051403ala016001.shtml?) > [@](#): > > \*\*"She grabs me and throws me down on the ground. She was on me,’’ Williams said. The bear gnawed and clawed at his hand, his arm, his legs and his face. He covered his neck and head with his hands. > > Weaver fired a shot over the bear and it released Williams, who shouted at Weaver to keep shooting, that he was bit, Barto said. > > The sow turned back toward Williams. He had dropped his rifle but now had his .44-caliber revolver out. He unloaded all six shots at the brown bear, which lumbered away. > \*\* BTW, this happened two weeks ago, about 20 miles from where I live. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-real-that-if-you-lay-down-on-the-floor-pretending-that-you-re-dead-while-a-li/178426.md?page=2)