bears

wild animals

If You See This Bear, Don't Hug It

Today might be Hug a Bear Day, but if there's one rule you can count on while camping or hiking, it's that bears don't take kindly to embraces.
Cute Baby Bear Pictures

Today might be Hug a Bear Day, but if there's one rule you can count on while camping or hiking, it's that bears don't take kindly to embraces. In fact, if you encounter an adorable grizzly, polar, or kodiak while out on the trail, you should avoid eye contact and walk slowly away so as not to provoke or startle them. And even if you encounter a huggable-looking baby bear, get away while you can because his protective (and much larger) mother is undoubtedly nearby. Bear cubs sure are cute, though, so we thought we'd celebrate this unusual holiday with a roundup of cuddly ursine photos. And if you get the urge to give one a squeeze, please grab the nearest pal or teddy bear instead!

Scoop

The Scoop: Dolores Is the Beary Hairless Bear

I love Spectacled Bears with their signature facial markings.
The Scoop: Dolores Is the Beary Hairless Bear

I love Spectacled Bears with their signature facial markings. However, they usually also have hair . . . on their bodies, too. Sadly, Dolores suffers from an unknown illness causing her new look, which I've put up alongside a 'normal' animal of that species. Learn more when you get started.

Poll

Love It or Hate It? The Great Sleeping Bear

I think we can all think of someone that would appreciate this – be it the intense animal lover or the perpetual prankster.

I think we can all think of someone that would appreciate this – be it the intense animal lover or the perpetual prankster. At first gruesome glance you may think this bear had an afternoon snack, but it's actually a sleeping bag disguising itself as a fake bear disguising itself as a real bear.

The Great Sleeping Bear was created by Amsterdam, Netherlands-based artist Eiko Ishizawa with fake fur, glass eyes and rubber nose and teeth. Since this is a work of art – going on sale at the hefty price of $2,690 – let's ignore that price tag and weigh in with opinions on what I'm calling the bear Snuggie. Are you entertained by this or is it a touch too close to the real thing to tote on your next camping vacay or sleepover as Casa suggests?
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cute animals

Video: Baby Bear's Snout Slumps to Slumber

Must not close baby bear eyes.

Must not close baby bear eyes. Must not smoosh baby bear nose. Must. Stay. Awake.

This painfully cute afternoon treat totally made my day – I've never been so happy to see an animal try soooo hard to do something . . and fail soooo adorably. Thanks runnergeek for bringing this clip to my attention – it's too cute!

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cheese

52 Weeks of Baking: Goldifish and The Three Bears

The other day I walked past PartySugar's desk and caught her looking at some puffy goldfish crackers.

The other day I walked past PartySugar's desk and caught her looking at some puffy goldfish crackers. I asked her what she was looking at and she said that she would send it my way. It turned out that she had found a recipe for homemade goldfish crackers. I knew immediately that I wanted to give it a try, however, there was one problem, I didn't have a fish cookie cutter. I thought I would cut them out with a knife (which is what I did for the few you see), but in the end I decided to use a bear cookie cutter instead. The final result was pretty tasty, and was very similar to store bought goldfish crackers. To make your own golden, cheesy crackers, read more