"If it's white, say goodnight" is the final line of a popular rhyme about bear encounters, meaning a polar bear attack is likely fatal, as they view humans as prey and are apex predators. The full rhyme advises: "If it's black, fight back; if it's brown, lay down; if it's white, say goodnight". This rhyme provides simplified (though not always perfectly accurate) survival advice for different bear species, with the "white" part signifying the extreme danger of polar bears.
If it's black, fight back. If it's brown, lie down. If it's white, good night. Polar bears are the only animals known to actively hunt humans. The old adage above is based on the fact that polar bears are the most ruthless of the big three bear species.
The "3 Bear Rule" is a survival rhyme for bear encounters: "If it's brown, lay down (play dead); if it's black, fight back; if it's white (polar), goodnight", advising different defensive actions for brown/grizzly, black, and polar bears, though official advice emphasizes de-escalation, staying calm, and identifying as human first, fighting back only in predatory attacks. For brown bears, playing dead (stomach down) is often recommended for defensive attacks, while for black bears, it's crucial to fight back aggressively if attacked, as they are usually deterred by noise and aggression. Polar bears are extremely dangerous predators, so fighting back is the only option as playing dead won't work, but they are best avoided entirely.
The rhyme stems from differences in how black bears and grizzlies often (but not always) respond to situations. Each species has evolved different strategies for survival.
If it's black fight back, if it's brown lie down, if it's white say goodnight. Bears are more complex than their species. A black bear in protective mode trying to scare you away from its cubs/kill/den won't back down from a fight.
If a black bear charges and attacks you, FIGHT BACK WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE! Do not play dead. Direct punches and kicks at the bear's face, and use any weapon like rocks, branches, or bear spray to defend yourself. If a grizzly/brown bear charges and attacks you, PLAY DEAD.
Long ago, goods and services were exchanged for other goods and services. Investors who sold bear skins they did not yet own were called bears because they expected a price decline. Bull traders were considered the opposite of bears. They bought assets with the expectation that prices would rise.
Brown/Grizzly Bears: If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area.
In most cases, the bear will flee. If the bear walks toward you, act boldly, yelling and throwing something at it. Do not climb a tree. If you have bear spray, remove the safety, and be ready to use it if the bear approaches you.
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Avoid direct eye contact, which may be perceived by a bear as a challenge. Never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away. To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an airhorn.
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