Watch a Fearless Man Hug and Wrestle With a Massive Bear He Keeps as a Pet

Ever wondered what a true “bear hug” looks like? Look no further than the clip below, which starts in a puzzling fashion. A man appears to be calling into the forest, and none other than a massive bear answers back. Not to worry, though, as these two are thick as thieves, and have grown to be the best of friends! In what looks like a combo between play wrestling and massive hugging, the pair have quite a touching moment together. Unbelievable? Scroll further on and see this unlikely friendship for yourself!

Watch a Real Hug in Action

Are Bears Friendly Animals?

These titans of the wilderness are not necessarily known for being the most huggable critters around. As primarily wild animals with no history of domestication, bears simply aren’t used to human presence. You see, they’re naturally averse to being around people and civilization, adding a level of unease and suspicion. It’s not that they don’t like humans, but they have plenty of reasons to keep themselves safe from possible threats to themselves and their families.

Bears do have a complex social structure and display a range of emotions, though. That said, there have been incidences in which bears have been raised by humans, and have in turn exhibited a level of tolerance. That’s not to say that this is remotely normal behavior, though. There are still plenty of potential dangers to worry about, as with all wild animals. Although being best friends with a bear sounds like an exotic experience, always remember that untamed critters can behave in unexpected ways!

How Powerful Are Bears?

On the topic of getting tackled and hugged by a bear, just how strong are these giants? A quick look at their size and physique gives us a great idea for starters. With all of that mass, a great majority of which is muscle, they command a lot of raw strength. However, studies have shown that bears are built more for endurance than raw power. This is because although many species of bear are apex predators, they hunt at a much slower rate than other carnivores. Eating primarily plant-based foods and supplementing afterward, these huge animals have more need for being durable and hardy.

That said, bears are truly some of the strongest animals found on Earth. The secret to understanding this is focusing on what gives them power and how they decide to use it!