Welcome to the arena. Tonight’s battle is all about location, location, location. Both of our fighters are extremely territorial. They’re not interested in sharing and will fight to the death to secure their turf.
But before the smackdown begins, let’s meet our contenders.
ROUND 1
In this corner, weighing in at 770 kg (1,700 lb), it’s the North American grizzly bear! The grizzly bear is bringing everything it has to this fight. With a bite force of over 8,000 kPa (1,250 psi) and deadly claws that can send an adult boar flying 10 meters in the air, the grizzly bear is a force to be reckoned with.
Grizzly bears are omnivores which means they eat both plants and, if the occasion calls for it, unwanted guests.
Because it has so much muscle and solid fat protecting its arteries and trachea, to say the bear is resilient is an understatement. But that hasn’t scared away its challenger.
In this corner, straight from the forests of India, it’s cold, it’s calculating, it’s carnivorous. It’s the Bengal tiger!
While certainly a weight class under the grizzly bear, only weighing 260 kg (575 lb), the tiger isn’t just some kitten. With a bite force of over 7,000 kPa (1050 psi), and a running speed of 65 km/h (40 mph), the Bengal tiger is the ultimate hunter.
Rumor around the ring is this isn’t the first time a tiger has taken on a bear. Let’s just say grizzly’s cousins, the Himalayan bears, didn’t fare so well. Which bloody beast will stand victorious?
ROUND 2- FIGHT!
The fight hasn’t even started, and the tiger is moving in. Distracted by the delicious smell of salmon, the bear doesn’t notice the stealthy tiger creeping through the underbrush, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Wait for it. NOW! The tiger makes the first move, pouncing on top of the bear.
It tries to chomp down, but the bear’s thick muscle stops it. Shocked and angry at this intruder, the bear stands up, towering over the tiger, and lets out a warning roar. But the tiger isn’t dissuaded. It stalks the bear before jumping in for another attack. It slashes the bear with its swiping paw, packing a punch with 4,500 kg (10,000 lb) of force.
The hurting bear counters, knocking the tiger back with its massive claws. This fight isn’t going to be easy for either of them. The bear is certainly a tank when it comes to self-defense. But the tiger’s intelligence means all it has to do is wear its opponent down.
Looks like the bear is getting winded. Seizing the opportunity, the tiger dashes around the bear and pounces again. It jumps to the bear’s neck and delivers a bite, cutting right into the bone. The bear goes down! One. Two. Three.
The winner is the Bengal tiger.
ROUND 3
Tonight saw the Bengal tiger’s hunting experience win over the brute strength of the grizzly bear. The tiger is no stranger to hunting and killing, as it’s meat only for this champion.
Because the grizzly’s usual prey is the seafood variety, it was taken completely off guard by the tiger’s skills as a strategic hunter. Ultimately, the bear lost the battle.
But does winning run in the tiger family? Would its ancestor, the saber-toothed tiger be able to hold its own against a woolly mammoth?
