Grizzly Bear scratches tree while standing

This grizzly bear looks a little like it is posing for the camera, doesn’t it?

A grizzly bear scratches a tree while standing up. Although their black bear cousins are excellent climbers, grizzly bears (aka brown bears) can not climb trees. Both grizzlies and black bears will often use nearby objects such as trees or rocks to itch themselves on.

Some scientists theorize that bears rub themselves on trees as a way of marking territory with their scent. Bears will scratch themselves on the same tree for years and years, and sometimes even pass down a tree from generation to generation.

Stock Image #20100923-132620