Have you ever spotted a bear, from a distance or on the TV, vigorously rubbing its back against the tree and wondered what on Earth is going on?
Bears, despite their giant stature, are very intelligent, curious, and avid hunters who often leave marks or scents using tree scratches. Their ritual is tied to survival, communication, and grooming, which is endemic to bear species.
Let’s uncover this mystery behind the bears’ obsession together in this continuing series of weird animal activities.
Why Bears Scratch Their Backs on Trees?
This weird activity is a pretty normal thing to do. The grizzly giant is just grooming itself like we do at home!
Here are the scientifically proven reasons why almost all bears wriggle and scratch against trees.
One major reason why bears scratch their backs against trees is to mark their territory. It is common in the wild to leave your scent to dissuade other male bears from hunting or mating on your ground.
Do you know a single Grizzly may need 200 to 500 square miles all for itself?
Scratching their back against the tree leaves scent markings that act as a signal to other bears. It tells them who has been there and helps avoid unwanted confrontations. The higher they reach and mark, the more it says about their size, and their scent can travel further, too.
In this way, tree scratching serves as a form of communication between two animals to avoid boundaries.
In some cases, it may also help alert smaller predators about a giant lurking in the area.
You heard it right! Bears scratch their back to remove loose fur and parasites.
Like most animals, bears need to keep themselves clean and healthy, and rubbing their back against the scratchy trunk is often the only way to clean the hard-to-reach spots.
When bears rub against rough tree bark, it helps remove dead fur, dirt, and parasites like ticks. The trees act as a natural scratching post, ensuring they stay comfortable and free from irritating pests.
It is similar to how your pet dog might roll on the ground or against furniture to remove an itch.
Recent studies suggest that bears prefer to rub against trees like conifers to remove ticks.
When bears scratch themselves on tree barks, they often claw and strip the bark, which releases tree resin that soaks into their fur and helps keep the ectoparasites away.
While bears cannot access insect repellents, tree bark offers a natural way to soothe their skin and brush off irritating bugs.
This bright, instinctive behavior helps them stay itch-free in the wild.
Male animals often leave scents to attract mating companions, and bears are no different. Bears leave their scent behind on the trees to communicate with the females in the area.
Female bears can tell a lot from the spoor left behind, including the age, gender, and even the health of the bear who last scratched there.
The markings also aid in learning if another bear is around for competition.
It is a unique form of social interaction where the scented tree acts as a bulletin board where bears exchange messages through odor marking.
How to Keep Your Home and Pets Safe from Bears?
Homeowners can take several steps to keep their homes and pets safe from bears, especially in areas of Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming, where bear sightings are frequent.
Here are some tips to help protect pets:
- Bears are attracted to food smells, including garbage, pet food, and bird feeders. Ensure to keep your trash cans secured with bear-proof lids, and avoid leaving trash and pet food outdoors.
- When letting pets outside, especially in bear-prone areas, always supervise them and keep them on a leash during walks. Bears are usually shy but could become dangerous if startled.
- Consider installing a sturdy fence around your yard. A tall, metallic fence can help keep bears out of your property, creating a barrier between your pets and potential bear encounters.
- Regularly clean up your yard to remove fallen fruit, food scraps, compost piles, and other bear attractants to avoid luring them to your home.
- Bears are cautious around loud noises and bright lights; thus, installing motion-activated lights or alarms in your yard can help scare bears away before they get too close to your home and pets, especially at night.
- Bears are more active at night, so keeping pets indoors during evening and night hours is safer.
- Keep bear deterrent spray nearby if you live in a high-bear-traffic area.
- Consider taking down bird feeders, especially during the seasons when bears are most active. Birdseed is highly attractive to bears and can attract them to your home.
- Make sure everyone in your household, especially children, knows not to approach any wildlife and reacts calmly and responsibly if they see a bear.
Final Thoughts
Scratching their backs against trees is not just a quirky habit for bears—it serves many important purposes.
From marking territory and grooming to getting rid of pesky ticks and finding suitable partner, this behavior helps bears thrive in their environment.
The next time you see a bear in the wild or on TV rubbing against a tree, you will know it is much more than just an itch. It is a vital part of their survival and well-being.
To learn more, contact Urban Pet Hospital & Resort, the full-service pet store and veterinary in Urbandale.