OF WILD ANIMALS 127 



A "pet" bear in its second year may become the most dan- 

 gerous of all wild animals. This is because it seems so affec- 

 tionate and docile, and yet is liable to turn in one second, — and 

 without the slightest warning, — into a deadly enemy. 



Scores of times we have seen this quick change in temper 

 take place in bears inhabiting our dens. Four bears will be 

 quietly and peacefully consuming their bread and vegetables 

 when, — "biff I" Like a stroke of lightning a hairy right arm 

 shoots out and lands with a terriffic jolt on the head of a peaceful 

 companion. The victim roars, — in surprise, pain and protest, 

 and then a fight is on. The aggressor roars and bawls, and 

 follows up his blow as if to exterminate his perfectly inoffensive 

 cage-mate. 



Mean and cruel visitors are fond of starting bear fights by 

 throwing into the cages tempting bits of fruit, or peanuts; and 

 sometimes a peach stone kills a valuable bear by getting jammed 

 in the pyloric orifice of the stomach. 



The owners of bears should NEVER allow visitors to throw 

 food to them. Unlimited feeding by visitors will spoil the 

 tempers of the best bears in the world. 



Power of Expression in Bears. Next to the apes and 

 monkeys, I regard bears as the most demonstrative of all wild 

 animals. The average bear is proficient in the art of expression. 

 The position of his ears, the pose of his head and neck, the 

 mobility of his lips and his walking or his resting attitudes all 

 tell their story. 



To facial and bodily expression the bear adds his voice; and 

 herein he surpasses most other wild animals! According to hia 

 mood he whines, he threatens, or warns by loud snorting. 

 He roars with rage, and when in pain he cries, or he bawls and 

 howls. In addition to this he threatens an enemy by snapping 

 his jaws together with a mighty ominous clank, accompanied 

 by a warning nasal whine. An angry bear will at times give a 

 sudden rake with his claws to the ground, or the concrete on 

 which he stands. 



