Do bears throw rocks?
Yes.
Bears throw rocks.
History
Stories from indigenous Arctic peoples and non-Native explorers tell of polar bears hunting walruses by throwing rocks at them.
Science
Bears are known to use objects as simple tools. A study published in Arctic in 2021 reviews documentation from historic and recent sources, concluding that polar bears and brown bears are capable of using tools such as rocks to obtain food.
More information
Link to study cited above: Ian Stirling, Kristin L. Laidre, Erik W. Born. "Do Wild Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) Use Tools When Hunting Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus)?" Arctic. Vol. 74 No. 2 (2021): June: 113-238.
Smithsonian article on the study that links to an 1865 book with an Inuit account of a bear throwing a rock at a walrus: David Kindy, "Polar Bears Take Down Walruses by Hurling Rocks and Ice." Smithsonian Magazine. August 9, 2021
Article from Polar Bears International with several historical anecdotes about bears throwing rocks and ice at walruses plus photos of a bear using objects to reach food
Photo from the Grouse Mountain Wildlife Refuge in a Daily Mail article: Grizzly bear throws rocks while playing
Video: News report after bear shatters glass wall at Minnesota zoo with rock
Video: Polar bear throws rock at window in Rotterdam zoo. Article on the event from the Mirror
Image credits
Illustration of polar bear throwing a rock: from Charles Francis Hall's 1865 book Arctic researches, and life among the Esquimaux. Smithsonian Libraries/Public DomainAll photos via Unsplash. From top to bottom:Polar bear waving: Hans-Jurgen MagerMoody forest background: Eric MuhrIceberg background: Annie SprattForest and river background: pine wattCloseup of brown bear: Thomas LefebvreCloseup of black bear: Marc-Olivier JodoinPolar bear underwater: Peter Neumann
© Bears Throw Rocks. All rights reserved.