Which Bear Is Best?

Why do some species flourish and others falter? Sometimes it just comes down to luck. A big thank-you to our supporters on / minuteearth :
- Today I Found Out
- Maarten Bremer
- Jeff Straathof
- Mark Roth
- Tony Fadell
- Muhammad Shifaz
- 靛蓝字幕组
- Alberto Bortoni
- Valentin
- Antoine Coeur
___________________________________________
FYI: We try to leave jargon out of our videos, but if you want to learn more about this topic, here are some handy keywords to get your googling started:
- Bering land bridge: an ancient land bridge that connected Asia and North America at various times during the Quaternary glaciation, allowing Homo sapiens and other species migrations.
- The Holocene extinction: (also referred to as the Sixth extinction or Anthropocene extinction) is the ongoing extinction event of species during the present Holocene epoch (since around 10,000 BCE) mainly due to human activity. The Holocene extinction includes the disappearance of large land animals known as megafauna, starting between 9,000 and 13,000 years ago, the end of the last Ice Age.
- Atlatl (spear-thrower): is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart-throwing.
- Bile bears: sometimes called battery bears, are bears kept in captivity to harvest their bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which is used by some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, though there is no evidence that bear bile has any medicinal effect, and no plausible mechanism by which it might work.
Species featured in this video:
- American black bear (Ursus americanus)
- Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus)
- Black-footed Ferret or American polecat (Mustela nigripes)
- Steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii)
- Humans (Homo Sapiens)
- Prairie dogs (genus Cynomys)
___________________________________________
Credits (and Twitter handles):
Script Writer: David Goldenberg (@dgoldenberg)
Script Editor: Emily Elert (@eelert)
Video Illustrator: Ever Salazar (@eversalazar)
Video Director: Emily Elert (@eelert)
Video Narrator: Henry Reich (@MinutePhysics)
With Contributions From: Alex Reich, Kate Yoshida, Peter Reich and Rachel Becker
Music by: Nathaniel Schroeder: / drschroeder
Image Credits:
Mustela nigripes - USFWS Mountain Prairie
www.flickr.com...
Mustela eversmanii - Andrei Kotkin (used with permission)
Ursus americanus - Ryan E. Poplin
flickr.com/phot...
Ursus thibetanus - Guérin Nicolas
en.wikipedia.o...
_________________________________________
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___________________________________________
References:
Schieck, B., McCown, W. (2014). Geographic distribution of American black bears in North America. Ursus, 25-1(24-33). Retrieved from www.bearbiology...
Pappas, S. (2014).Humans Blamed for Extinction of Mammoths, Mastodons & Giant Sloths. LiveScience. Retrieved from: www.livescience...
Feng, Y., Siu, K., Wang, N., Ng, K., Tsao, S., Nagamatsu, T., Tong, Y. (2009). Bear bile: dilemma of traditional medicinal use and animal protection. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 5:2. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.ni...
Biggins, D., Hanebury, L., Miller, B., Powell, R. (2011). Black-footed ferrets and Siberian polecats as ecological surrogates and ecological equivalents. Journal of Mammalogy, 92(4): 710-720. Retrieved from www.fort.usgs....

[@antoncvetkov8602]

Dwight: Well that`s debatable

[@Donke267]

IDENTITY THEFT IS NOT A JOKE, JIM

[@19NooNaDa]

bears, beets, battlestar galactica

[@davimelo9181]

There are basically two schools of thought

[@mtyler8513]

Jim: Question, what kind of bear is best? Dwight: That's a ridiculous question. Jim: False. Black bear. Dwight: Well, that's debatable. There are basically two schools of thought. Jim: Fact, bears eat beets. Bears, beets, battlestar galactica. Dwight: Bears do not..what's going on? What are you doing?!

[@burtReynolds3]

the office is fucking awesome

[@elmalortio4830]

Michael!

[@someperson7]

First thing I thought of:-)

[@Jennyofthesky]

Funny and original

[@davimelo9181]

MICHAEL

[@meeposheepo9302]

-Question which bear is best? -That’s a ridiculous question. -False. Black bear.

[@calliebui8709]

The question is rlly dumb

[@octophobe9235]

-Fact Bears eat beets.

[@_Kmf_03]

@@calliebui8709.

[@anokylioness1855]

@@calliebui8709 this phrase is from "The Office"

[@anlasma7942]

@@calliebui8709 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYrOY5xmbJV8aKs

[@1KevinsFamousChili1]

Wrong. Black Bear. Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galtica.

[@BlackVenomGrade32]

YESSS I THOUGHT OF THAT ONCE i SAW THE TITLE

[@YujiUedaFan]

What is with all of these Battle Star Galactica references?

[@BlackVenomGrade32]

YujiUedaFan Its The Office (US) reference.

[@duhvnlocs]

Well basically, there are two schools of thought..

[@emilya.9706]

IDENTIFY THEFT IS NOT A JOKE JIM. MILLIONS OF FAMILIES SUFFER EVERY YEAR

[@dj12dj12a93]

Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica

[@chancegoss623]

Oh that's funny, Michael!!!

[@ProblemBears]

beat me to it lol

[@burtReynolds3]

"bears do not- what's going on? what are you doing?! MICHEAL!"

[@austinjames199758]

XD black bear

[@aClovey]

i don't get it

[@JmsNmnn]

Well there are two schools of thought

[@lazergurka-smerlin6561]

And the rest of the schools are shit

[@TechnoCreeper2016]

+Smerlin especially Trump University

[@lazergurka-smerlin6561]

Techno Creeper OOOHH DAT BURN

[@turdferguson9452]

False. Black bears.

[@turdferguson9452]

Surprised nobody else got that

[@durpddurke4633]

The answer is easy: Ice Bear

[@Azrielfiend]

K

[@anonymousanonymous4775]

They are called polar bear in english.

[@noobybuisness1649]

Lmao we bare bears

[@cometstriker7463]

I'd say gummy bear

[@marjaschmidt490]

Da Dragon Durp False, Black Bear.

[@ohahmenuts]

"What are you do... whats happen... you know what no, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery so thank you" **puts bobble head on desk** "IDENTITIY THEFT IS A CRIME JIM!!"

[@TrainerRedGuy]

I was going to make a reference to _The Office_ But I see that literally *everyone* beat me to it.

[@-Araina-]

same oh my god

[@NLTops]

You're using literally wrong.

[@mgrey6936]

Yeah I literally hate when people do that,

[@cxiiMELODY]

I clicked the video just because of The Office

[@armydillo1013]

beet* you to it

[@Rosa-he6xb]

A wise man once said “bears eat beets;bears beets battle star galataca.”

[@BrodyEllis111]

-That's a ridiculous question. -False. Black bear.

[@thewaffleman2689]

Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica

[@christinahernandez2387]

@@thewaffleman2689 That made my day 😂😂

[@mwsn3859]

The Office is da bes

[@vkaivos]

Black bears Cause TierZoo said so

[@endingeternity9775]

That’s basically two schools of thou- WHAT ARE YOH DOING?

[@Mark-yn4vl]

Jim (impersonating Dwight): QUESTION! What kind of bear is BEST! Dwight: That's a ridiculous question. Jim: False! Black bear. Dwight: That's debatable. There are basically two schools of thought. Jim: Fact! Bears eat beets. Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galatic Dwight: Bears do not....WHAT is going on??

[@ItsNavyBaby]

MICHAEL!!!!

[@screensaves]

False, black bear... Bears. Beats. Battlestar Galactica...

[@Jennyofthesky]

Funny and original

[@Timelord277]

i saw the video title and that was the first thing i thought of

[@gelobahinting3366]

I was gonna put in a reference from The office but someone already did it

[@acolossalangrybook3169]

and the comment on top of you is called "offrce"

[@mcfrickenwatcher195]

same

[@mundotaku_org]

Ice Bear is best Bear. #IceBear4President

[@lazergurka-smerlin6561]

Polar Bear is best Bear #PolarBearBeatsIceBearEveryday

[@crazygermn]

Ice bear avoids comment sections.

[@lazergurka-smerlin6561]

oncemoreuntothebreach What, are the flame wars too hot?

[@crazygermn]

+Smerlin Ice Bear believes you don't get the reference.

[@gunslingerspartan]

Ice bear has innocent eyes

[@GlenCychosz]

Gummy bears are the best bears.

[@mark12033]

#Truefacts

[@dinoman6123]

ice bear is best bear or bear grills.

[@fer415ch]

So true

[@someswede781]

Water bears are best bears

[@SteveTK420]

agreed gummie bears are awesome

[@al7rab1]

I just wanna know how they knew exactly how many bears were there when they first discovered America

[@RedRooster0912]

Bears eat beets Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica

[@Showerofjyzz]

wtf is that?

[@AlecB32]

Dwight Fart Schrute

[@jasonk4229]

Michael!

[@stevendiaz3206]

+castrocalifornia ME TOO 😂😂😂

[@alexandermilleriii499]

It's dwight..

[@libbysnyder622]

ok so i know everyone already beat me to it but BEARS. BEETS. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

[@macaroon_nuggets8008]

beet me too it*

[@candydragon8883]

Macaroon_Nuggets no his grammar is correct

[@macaroon_nuggets8008]

@@candydragon8883 I know. I was making a pun. Because it had to do with beats

[@candydragon8883]

Macaroon_Nuggets The to I mean

[@macaroon_nuggets8008]

@@candydragon8883 Oops I didnt even notice that!

[@xDarinGodx]

false. bear beats Battlestar Galactica

[@maggien.5243]

Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

[@sobanpeng4890]

+Maggie Newman Yes! I was looking for this! One of the best Jim moments.

[@maggien.5243]

+Soybeanz Meng AGREED! One of my favorite moments on the entire show!

[@tyrivera9924]

MICHAEL!!!

[@MenaceatMummyManor]

Bears do not beat... What is going on?! What are you doing?!

[@coberrycheesesnek4769]

I'm a fan of grizzlies. They're big, strong, and the mothers care a lot about their cubs to where they will attack anything that will be seen as a threat. I like a lot of bears, but the grizzly bear has got to be my favorite. And one might take my life in June NGL...

[@Ljovynn]

Jigglypuff's bair is best.

[@GarketMardener]

Falco's Bair**** But honestly both KO stupidly well.

[@TheWickedEnd2012]

Buff Puff

[@Hofftari]

bair

[@amiemallich3255]

If HungryBox was in the woods, and had to fight a bear, who's B-Air would win?

[@GarketMardener]

Gorgia Mallich I mean, can bears even play smash

[@nathanielheywood137]

I love how the question in the title is never addressed nor answered

[@Quilldriver]

This video is great, and it's always important to know what sad things we do to animals for no real reason... even though learning about it makes me super super sad myself.

[@RaveBearTV]

Uhhhh yeah,i can answer you that question. Grizzly-Polar bear hybrid is the best bear. Grolar bears hype!

[@dariuso2657]

Pizzly bear.

[@Kartoffelkamm]

Man, when I get too much money I open a Pizzaria, name it Pizza Bear and every employee has to wear a bear suit. Customers can even have the person delivering their pizza wear a certain costume, and they all make bear puns :)

[@dariuso2657]

***** I hope you never get too much money.........

[@Kartoffelkamm]

Darius O Why not? Can´t BEAR the thought? :)

[@sanictehhotdog91]

+Hidden Shadow then you get arrested and your new cell mates name is papa bearx

[@ayushchaurasia5547]

Still looking for Dwight's answer where he mentioned about two school of thoughts

[@JohnJacobJinglySmith]

Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica.

[@MananagKiVato]

Omg, I love how you actually made the humans throw with atlatls instead of spears!

[@TheArzonite]

The best bear is Karhu III Olut.

[@Pining_for_the_fjords]

Bear beer, to finnish the joke.

[@genelode]

Karhu A ja 8% on parempii

[@spindash64]

Is it just me, Or is North America doing relatively well in conservation efforts overall compared to other continents. Most of the threatened or endangered species I can think of here have recovered to some extent, and I can really only think of the Passenger Pigeon that went with the Dodo here in terms of well known ones.

[@martianmayo63]

Bears eat beets!

[@libbysnyder622]

MartianMayo heyo ur the first one who made a reference to the office in the comments

[@libbysnyder622]

MartianMayo heyo ur the first one who made a reference to the office in the comments

[@blub232324]

What is it with asia and eating strange body parts of animals for health reasons?

[@Silverizael]

They clearly need to have their scientists step up and call out all the bullshit beliefs. Heck, we need more scientists to do that here, as alt med quackery beliefs are spreading in the US as well.

[@ManintheArmor]

Might need to narrow down those details, as Asia is a large continent with many countries besides China and India.

[@macaoron]

Cultural and historical reasons. Please don't judge.

[@Silverizael]

***** When it causes environmental damage and drives species to extinction, we should TOTALLY judge.

[@blub232324]

***** This could be sarcasm. It is really hard to tell when written down...

[@underwrld_lynx13]

"Which bear is best" -Jim--The office

[@TacoSnipezZ]

well there's basically two trains of thought

[@174wolf]

Which bear is best bear? My bear is best bear, because...

[@lazergurka-smerlin6561]

you can ride it?

[@TechnoCreeper2016]

It says "I wuv u!!!!" when you squeeze it(I spelt the words inside the quotes wrong on purpose)

[@moebro38]

Here's my toy bear

[@174wolf]

Atleast *someone* got it :D

[@xmgc2009x]

Tobias Weiß

[@daenerysstormborn3327]

Well, that's debatable. There are basically two schools of thought.

[@Archiekunst]

bear population was DECIMATED and cut down in HALF. 1/10 = 1/2

[@raztubes]

decimate: kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of. But, hey, how often do you get to be all pedantic and also let people know that you read up that one thing on the Romans... you do you, boo.

[@Archiekunst]

Waste away peasant... the world hath no place for an urchin like you.

[@Jamato-sUn]

One half was cut down in the last 30 years ONLY. Long time ago there were millions of bears so in the last ~50000 years their population was decimated.

[@redgie2455]

I thought it was the bear with fur around the neck vs. the one with no fur around the neck. I thought after seeing that that the bear with fur around the neck would be better because the fur protects its neck from attackers, like the male lion with the fur around their neck to protect them from attackers. guess i was wrong lol

[@chancegoss623]

You just triggered The Office button.

[@SanguiniCore]

Easy. the FUNNIEST one is the sloth bear at the Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, Florida. one time i saw him putting his front paws on his fake log and just started swingin' his head XD

[@thepedrorriva]

So I am to blame, what a surprise. I can't bear this. Pun intended.

[@myrojyn]

The video got unbearable with the accusatory tone

[@myrojyn]

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

[@thepedrorriva]

Basileus Sarkly I love me some bear bile. Oh mama. But when I was saying "I" i was reffering to me as "human".

[@donut5818]

northern white rhinoceros: I am endangered. But suddenly conservation! Northern white rhinoceros: I am almost dead.

[@daniaomar8867]

Jim, what kinda bear is best

[@luciabrown8778]

Anybody else think of Dwight?

[@kinghans6266]

Dwigt who?

[@TrangTran-bq1yo]

Best bear is Mr. Cuddles He is a teddy bear 🧸 He’s sitting in my room 🥰❤️❤️💖🎀🎈

[@bloop548]

I literally said "stop it!" when you made the puns every video OMG THEM PUNS ARE TOO MUCH I can't BEAR it

[@yuukisama2001]

I like how you added Teddy Roosevelt who was a big game hunter who would later become the founder of cuddly Teddy Bear Toy. Named after him.

[@mydoghatesme2448]

MICHEAL!

[@dogerriders868]

There are still black tailed ferrets in some Canadian grasslands, extremely few, but some.

[@Inuitman]

polarbear is the best.

[@joepsuttorp9156]

Aggu Kristian YES

[@loganalm5583]

Wrong, Polar bear is a specialist that relies too heavily on its environment, meaning its population can be more easily damaged in the long run. Still pretty cool though.

[@ratstyle5468]

Ice bear approves

[@whythehelldoineedahandle]

The power of cuteness shows in 0:59

[@HuffyPlayzMC4519]

Beets. Bears. Battlestar Galactica

[@simonj3413]

An observation: Asiatic black bears seem to be very rare in American zoo collections. Have any of YOU ever seen one in person? They're the only bear species that I haven't.

[@clowneyess2306]

Didn't the worlds continents used to be together called Pangea

[@greyjay8838]

Eevee_Gaming Yes

[@BertGrink]

Indeed, but after a while, Pangea split into two smaller, yet still quite large, landmasses called Laurasia (the northern part) and Gondwanaland (the southern part). This didn't last forever either, as you've probably noticed, leaving us with the 6 or 7 continents that we know today. Given sufficient time, though, these continents will eventually merge again, and form new supercontinents, which will need new names, so put your thinking caps on, fellas.

[@BlitzkriegTechno]

1:00 - 1:04 Bear : DONT KELL MEH PLESSS Hunter : nah you look cute I must......... *PET*

[@smckenzie1234]

Ice Bear has ninja stars....

[@greenbull1191]

Shannon McKenzie Oh wow another WBB Refreance I LUV that show

[@durpddurke4633]

Ice Bear bought these legally

[@ianbramplayz4624]

WE BARE BEARS!!!!!!!!!

[@kj_heichou]

Humans: see Mammoth Humans: It's big brain time now

[@josiah42]

The story about American ferrets sounds incomplete. In Colorado, there are still millions of prairie dogs that coat half the state in huge colonies. They are treated as pests, but not because there's a _shortage_ of them.

[@iamawsom11]

Bears eat beets. Battlestar Galactica.

[@RaymondYocum-uw5hd]

Beets are delicious! (03

[@allisonroll9662]

one of the many reasons why animal agriculture sucks

[@ethandiercks7362]

There are ferrets in America they started releasing them into the wild

[@TheReligiousAtheists]

0:26 Dafaq did you just call me a hairless ape 😠

[@otaku3OBSESSION]

The Religious Atheist Bakchodi Corner technically yes, the species Homo Sapiens is in the family of Great Apes, and we are relatively hairless.

[@nickpinto9181]

Otaku Obsession the joke Your head

[@Shaqueefalot]

Nick Pinto what about bald people?😶

[@fairymairah]

the Humans that caused Extinction to some of these Animals Deserve it! Don't they ! ? ! ?

[@alyssamullan7093]

But I love ferrets :(

[@crazyadam9281]

It's what happens when an animal fails to adapt to different foods.

[@eosornio1558]

+Adam Lawrence no it happens when people kill them for no reason

[@jarritoo]

+Enrique Osornio ikr

[@pumpkinwarrior7138]

+Enrique Osornio There's a reason, and it's sorta logical because of the situation.

[@PandFPinky]

I love ferrets to

[@ahmadyousef7943]

its just Human intferance.

[@amoragillion2080]

I wud save both of the animals mow!!!! and stop!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@habibibean3562]

0:37 *B I G B R A I N*

[@glorioustigereye]

Ice bear is the best bear

[@joepsuttorp9156]

Glorioustigereye polar bear*

[@ildaeuceda5897]

Yes

[@lmaoidontcare6019]

False Black Bear, Bears eats beets, Bears beets... battle star galactica

[@stabbypandarogue8164]

Ice bear like your comment

[@kentmichaelgalang686]

when i looked at the thumbnail, the first thing i saw was a white mustached figure with eyes facing the wrong way

[@nikky6062]

Polar bears!

[@joepsuttorp9156]

Nikky 606 Yes

[@larrycrumbs9219]

Nikky 606 False. Black bears.

[@anshulsaini7382]

Panda is the best BEAR.

[@liskers]

Nuu! They're fat and eat bamboo all day.

[@flyingmintbunbun3086]

Anshul Saini i prefer Grizzly because their the strongest out of all the other bears

[@Jumbopoptv]

Anshul Saini false. Black bear

[@thatslitdog6781]

Anshul Saini Panda's aren't bears

[@clisonlytherapqueen2582]

+My gender is ATTACK HELICOPTER where did you get that? panda are in bear family lol

[@jamesthemarshall]

I clicked to watch "which bear is best" and by god you're going to tell me. I didn't click to watch "which bear is luckiest". Also, much more ferret based than expected.

[@aaroc8201]

Omg. Living for the puns at the end. Oh Henry

[@buhbruhh]

Did he say Ferrets walked?! **ferret walking 10 hour

[@rosefurr]

Those puns were un *BEAR* able!

[@lemongame6848]

So in the thumbnail are the bears doing Rock Paper Scissors

[@fizamansoor4035]

Are we a hairless ape?

[@scottypippin8650]

That was so much information in 2 minutes..

[@mg4361]

Wich bear is best: all of them! They're all fuzzywuzzy fluffy balls of cuteness that can kill you

[@laurelhuntley6348]

The adorable BFF of the ferret world the black-footed ferret is actually the species I am doing a project on. They're super interesting little guys.

[@randid.c3558]

I like all bears,but,if i was to choose one that was better,then i would choose the one living in the better suited environment

[@markmathews2143]

Decimated the forest? Decimate means take a tenth away; did they?

[@vanessalecras6870]

I know a certain volunteer Lackawanna county sheriff deputy who could answer that question

[@ben737D]

So this video is about Bear Speciesism? I'm in!

[@MoonMoon-bb7du]

what's the best bear? Teddy bear. Yes, they are the most useful bear in the world. You hugged them when your scared, you talk to them when you have a problem, they wipe your tears when you cry, and they helped you to sleep. BTW I missed my Teddy bear. ;(

[@mistywolf1080]

Damnit... Can't Asia have mercy on any animal?

[@jesuscondom7456]

Dwight has entered the chat

[@ametsunami4070]

Super easy, bear-ly an inconvenience

[@malisaboonpat5977]

NO ONE HAS TO BE BAD TOO BEARS ONLY WHEN THEY ATTACK

[@Megadude493]

Dwight and Jim have entered the chat

[@jorgeaedo9912]

that's a rediculous question. there are basically two schools of thought...

[@PeninsulaPaintings]

You'd think after seeing the same joke written in the comment section already (several fucking times), people would choose not to post the same joke again because it's redundant...but if this video has proved anything, it's that people do stupid shit for stupid reasons.

[@akshatsharma1]

Simple Teddy-bears

[@spencerhahn1635]

Well, basically there are two schools of thoughts

[@strayoncestaytwice2528]

Question: What kind of bear is best? False. Black Bears. Fact: Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica. Dwight: *scared bear noises*

[@firebreathingdragonjake7170]

So what’s the best bear 🐻

[@xenomorphbiologist-xx1214]

Those puns are lethal

[@rachelragma795]

Why do scientists know how many years their experiments are but they dont know how many years it is in earth

[@Ray-mw1fx]

so they crossed the bearing strait?

[@anonymousanonymous4775]

I don't know how either of them taste so I can't really have an opinion.