Given that they tend to be the top predators in their midst, it only makes sense to want to see how the bear-lion match actually unfolds. One represents eight omnivorous species found on four different continents. Another is so respected for dominating his own environment that he earned the title of “King of the Jungle”. But since lions are only found in parts of Africa and India where they are unlikely to meet bears, there is no definitive proof of who will win the fight between the bear and the lion.
While there is no evidence of fighting between bears and lions, we can use what we know about both animals to figure out who will win the hypothetical fight. We’ll start with raw statistics and then move on to looking at the strengths and weaknesses of each animal.
| The Bears | Lions | |
|---|---|---|
| Average weight | Depends on species, 150 – 1300 lbs | 420 lbs |
| Length (without tail) | Depends on species, 5 – 9 feet | 6 – 6.8 feet |
| Habitat | forests, mountains, tundra, deserts and meadows | forests, meadows, bushes |
| Life span | 20-25 years old | 15 years |
| Speed | 25 – 35 mph | 50 mph |
| Legs | 4 feet, 20 toes, 20 claws | 4 feet, 18 toes, 18 claws |
| Bite force | 975 psi | 650 psi |
Lion vs Bear: Hunting Skills
By definition, apex predators do not have natural predators, but the way they hunt can help us understand how they would fight each other. Lions have one clear advantage in being obligatory carnivores, which is another way of saying they can’t survive without the nutrients found in a meaty diet, and in fact they lack the ability to properly digest certain plant matter. … But although the physiology of the lion has adapted to the hunting lifestyle, they actually hunt in groups, and the fact that they rely on companions for their hunting tactics may put one lion at a disadvantage in the fight against the bear.
Bears, on the other hand, are omnivorous. In fact, only about 30% of the average bear’s diet consists of meat. Despite this, many bear species are capable of slaying powerful prey such as moose and deer. They are just as likely to be found digging around nests or foraging for fruits and vegetables to graze. Regardless, the combination of significant gait and swinging can usually leave the prey unconscious, and you can rest assured that this is a predator to be feared.
Lion vs bear: size and weight
The sheer size can make a big difference in combat, and this is true for both the animal kingdom and the ring. Unfortunately for the lion, it is inferior in weight and length to most bear species. An average bear can weigh twice or more than a lion of the same age, and this gives the bear a huge advantage over the lion in terms of shock absorption.
But just as important is the amount of reach of each creature. Unfortunately for the lion, this is another instance where the bear clearly wins. Not only are bears often one and a half times larger than lions, but they are also much more comfortable standing and walking on their hind legs for extended periods of time. Because of this, it will be difficult for a lion to even get close to him without getting hit on the top of his head.
Lion vs Bear: Speed
With a top speed of about 50 mph, lions can throw any bear into the dust on foot. And while top speed won’t matter much in the midst of a fight, that speed and agility really help the lion navigate the battlefield and wear down the bear. The real question is how effective this speed will be. Although lions have a much higher maximum speed than bears, they are unable to maintain that speed for a long period of time. Additional dexterity can help the lion elude the blows of the bear’s claws, but this will be a necessity given its comparatively lighter body weight.
Lion vs Bear: Natural Weapons
Both lions and bears rely on powerful claws to subdue their prey and massive jaws to deliver the finishing blow and drag their prey, but there are some important differences between the two. A bear’s teeth can exert significantly more pressure when they grip the victim’s neck, but a lion’s teeth are both sharper and longer, and this allows them to sink deeper into the victim without having to exert such strong pressure. What’s more, the cat’s teeth are positioned to pierce their victim’s spinal cord. Because bears are omnivores, they don’t have the same highly specialized teeth and instead rely on the sheer force of their bite to get the job done. In any case, a lucky bite could mean the end of the journey for one of these animals.
Lion and Bear Claws are the same distinction between deadly spec and more versatile design. Bears use their claws to climb trees, haul salmon out of the water, and dig in for insects. But if a bear attacks you, its impact force will be the same as that of the claws. In contrast, the retractable and hooked claws of the lion are designed both to give them thrust as they run and to hold their prey as they sink their fangs into it.
Lion vs Bear Clash
In a face-to-face fight, it will be profitable for you to bet on the bear. The sheer size and strength of this animal ensures that it will be very difficult for the lion to even get close enough to do any damage, and it will take a long time to properly incapacitate one of the larger bear species, such as the grizzly bear. The bear’s long reach will make it difficult for the lion to get close, and its relatively smaller build ensures that it has little room for error.
A lion could live better in an environment where it can hunt and chase its prey from afar. Lions are traditionally secretive hunters who do not approach their prey until they are about a hundred feet away. If the lion could grab the bear and deliver the killing blow quickly, it could earn the victory. But even that is doubtful. Bears are capable of stealth hunters in their own right and are known to hunt down hunters up to 300 feet away.
The strength of the bear and the lion is worthy of respect, but they are amazing creatures from whom we can learn a lot.
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