# What animals could kill a grizzly bear? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 4, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622 "2015-06-04T12:56:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/41 "2015-06-05T01:05:12Z")
I can think of several animals, if dropped from a great height, that would kill a grizzly. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/42 "2015-06-05T01:27:08Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > An angry bull moose could do some serious damage. Even an elk could cause a fatal injury. I can’t say I have heard of this happening but they do have the power and weapons to kill a grizzly if they had a little luck on thier side. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I started to bring this one up. An 800# tiger against an 800# grizzly would be a good fight. A tiger lacks the will to fight as much as an angry bear. But defensively he would do some real serious and possibly fatal damage to the bear. A 500# tiger against an 800# bear my money would go on the bear. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I saw a big black bear on TV go toe to toe with a grizzly and he more than held his own. A big black bear can go up to 800#. They were not fighting to the death as much as a territorial dispute. The black bear kept his spot. There’s a much smaller animal, I forget it’s name, that could probably kill a grizzly if it cared to. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/43 "2015-06-05T01:30:32Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > ‘A bear’ and a grizzly bear are different animals, especially in nature, I think you’ll find. Wolverine and a bear I’m giving a maybe. But wolverine vs grizzly? I’m of the opinion it would never happen as the wolverine would immediately turn heel and be gone. [I wouldn’t be so sure of that.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RqJFza3sbE) ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/44 "2015-06-05T01:38:07Z")
Chuck Norris could do it with one hand tied behind his back. And my mother-in-law, if she were still alive. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/45 "2015-06-05T01:43:29Z")
Well, if can mention Lions and Tigers, a Giraffe’s kick has been know to kill lions so it probably could do the same to a Griz. And a hippopotamus? MIght hardly notice him as he trampled the poor Griz to death. A Cape Buffalo would be…interesting. Get a time machine and see if the ancient Romans can set up a special Colosseum show… ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/46 "2015-06-05T02:47:28Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > And - the lion v tiger fight actually played out at the SF zoo many years ago. [I heard about that.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=661555&highlight=lion+tiger) ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/47 "2015-06-05T02:50:03Z")
If it were near the water, what about a walrus? One killed a polar bear on animal face off, and we know that’s completely accurate. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/48 "2015-06-05T03:14:50Z")
There are anecdotal accounts of mustang stallions getting the best of a grizzly bear… at least to the point of the bear retreating. Not sure how a fight to the death would turn out, but I’d lay odds on the stallion. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/49 "2015-06-05T04:01:10Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > It’s said one should use a .45 caliber, only because of the knock-down power. Have you ever shot a .45 at a cinder block, or an old TV, or the like? - I have - you can’t “knock down” anything of substantial weight with the momentum from a .45 (or any other pistol) round - never mind a Grizzly Bear! The shooter experiences the equivalent momentum (backwards) as the target does, and would be knocked over himself if it were the case. ---
**Author:** ![opmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9d8465/32.png) [@opmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/opmike)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/50 "2015-06-05T07:39:34Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > It’s said one should use a .45 caliber, only because of the knock-down power. Just a few bullets only angers the bear, you got to knock him down again and again and again until he dies … > > Brown Bears of coastal British Columbia, although [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bear) gives the same sub-species … so it’s more of a racial difference I guess. .45? As in ACP? On a grizzly? There’s nothing special about that round and it wouldn’t be my first choice if I were expecting to get into gunfight with a big bear. Also, “knockdown power” isn’t a thing on any kind of cartridge capable of being fired by a handheld weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/51 "2015-06-05T07:52:29Z")
> [@Ze\_Pr0fes0re](#): > > Rabbits. Or one Rabbit. A rabbit wouldn’t actually kill a bear, he’d just trick the bear into disturbing a bee’s nest. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/52 "2015-06-05T08:18:20Z")
Polar Bears seem to have no problem destroying walruses so I don’t think a Grizzly would have any problem killing an Elephant Seal, in response to whoever posted that. ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/53 "2015-06-05T09:41:34Z")
Proponents of the existence of Bigfoot seem to have a lot of of fun speculating on the likely winner of a one-on-one fight between their favourite creature, and a grizzly… ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/54 "2015-06-05T12:11:53Z")
> [@Sangahyando](#): > > Proponents of the existence of Bigfoot seem to have a lot of of fun speculating on the likely winner of a one-on-one fight between their favourite creature, and a grizzly… Bigfoot children carry grizzlies around like kittens ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/55 "2015-06-05T12:27:07Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Polar Bears seem to have no problem destroying walruses so I don’t think a Grizzly would have any problem killing an Elephant Seal, in response to whoever posted that. Adult male Grizzly 800 lbs. (and that’s a big one), adult male Elephant Seal 6,600 lbs. (and that’s an average one). Grizzly has no chance. [The wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walrus#Predation) says Polar Bear attacks on Walruses are rare, and no sure thing for the Polar Bear. Elephant seal cows and calves may be at risk, even from their own bulls, but I doubt a Polar Bear or Grizzly will even consider an attack on a bull. ---
**Author:** ![ChickenLegs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@ChickenLegs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChickenLegs)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/56 "2015-06-05T13:59:09Z")
A drop bear could probably kill a grizzly, but they don’t share the same ecosystem. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/57 "2015-06-05T14:06:25Z")
> [@opmike](#): > > .45? As in ACP? On a grizzly? There’s nothing special about that round and it wouldn’t be my first choice if I were expecting to get into gunfight with a big bear. > > Also, “knockdown power” isn’t a thing on any kind of cartridge capable of being fired by a handheld weapon. So I did some checking around … and the Glock 20 came up as one of the weapons-of-choice for shooting Grizzlies. Reliability was the call here, this piece won’t be jamming up as much, with enough penetration with the 10 mm bullet … > [@](#): > > Although it doesn’t pack the punch of a .454 Casull, it is much faster, and the average person can become very proficient with it without wrist braces. You’re much more likely to get bullets into a charging bear with a Glock than with a huge revolver. Recommended: Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan (.375 Ruger) ---
**Author:** ![Ionizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5daacb/32.png) [@Ionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ionizer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/58 "2015-06-05T14:30:47Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Snakes and bears live in different ecosystems. I feel compelled to give a [credible cite](http://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/prairie-rattlesnake.htm) on the falsity of this assertion. I have seen a few decent-sized ratlers in Yellowstone that were not far from where I had previously seen Griz’s grazing about, fwiw. I’d also say that a porcupine could inflict wounds that would eventually weaken/kill by indirect effects of having the ‘spines’ work their way into vital areas, rendering a griz incapable of providing for itself. Just a hunch, and I have seen plenty of porcupines in NE Idaho, practically along border of Yellowstone park. Finding rattlers in Idaho, especially along Snake River basin was not difficult as on numerous rafting outings, someone would get a hankering for cooking/eating a rattler, and off they went flipping rocks/logs over until they found one, fwiw. IIRC. Each time I went to Yellowstone, Rangers would warn of danger of rattlers hiding along trails, etc. Same ecosystem, right? ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/59 "2015-06-05T14:45:54Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > So I did some checking around … and the Glock 20 came up as one of the weapons-of-choice for shooting Grizzlies. Reliability was the call here, this piece won’t be jamming up as much, with enough penetration with the 10 mm bullet … > > Recommended: Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan (.375 Ruger) My last backpacking trip in grizzly country our leader (old college roomie of mine, very experienced outdoorsman) carried a .454 Casull as part of our “bear management” strategy (primary defense is being bear aware, storing food properly, etc). It’s quite the hand cannon, rounds are just a little smaller than AA batteries. On his last trip to Alaska some of the locals with experience (including a guy who had been attacked by a grizzly) opined that the .454 was “acceptable” but they recommended an even bigger whallop (S&W 500). When he was up in Hudson Bay everyone on the trip got to stand “bear watch” and they used a 12ga loaded with slugs. I’ve seen a 1000lb grizzly at a wildlife preserve outside of Yellowstone. I am no expert on firearms but a .45 auto would feel woefully inadequate if one of those animals was charging from 20 yards away. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622/60 "2015-06-05T16:10:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Adult male Grizzly 800 lbs. (and that’s a big one), adult male Elephant Seal 6,600 lbs. (and that’s an average one). Grizzly has no chance. > > The wiki says Polar Bear attacks on Walruses are rare, and no sure thing for the Polar Bear. Elephant seal cows and calves may be at risk, even from their own bulls, but I doubt a Polar Bear or Grizzly will even consider an attack on a bull. For those with a weak stomach there is some blood in this video, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob\_oD1IsYbE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob_oD1IsYbE) I know this is a video of a Polar Bear killing a walrus, but I would wager if you put a Grizzly against an Elephant Seal, on the bear winning the majority of the time. Granted the Elephant Seal weighs substantially more, but the Walrus itself can weigh almost 4,000 pounds. I just don’t think the Elephant Seal on land is going to have the agile movement that a bear would have and all that weight is going to be more of a hindrance if anything while the bear is slashing its face apart with those powerful claws. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-could-kill-a-grizzly-bear/721622.md?page=4)