Video of Grizzly Cub Fishing for the First Time Is Making People Smile

At some point, baby animals all have to learn how to fend for themselves. It can be a difficult, frustrating process, but a necessary one. National Geographic shared a video on Sunday, August 14th of a bear cub who was learning to fish, which probably looked much easier to do when he watched his mom do it!

When the video starts, the cub is in the water, pawing at the salmon swimming by. He tries pawing at them, biting them, jumping on them, all without success. Finally, he snags one, wrapping it a bear hug. He caught his first fish...or did he?

I thought he had it! He was so close to his first catch. I'm sure he felt defeated, but I hope he tried again! I thought it was cute that in the caption, National Geographic said, "it takes a little paws-on learning for beginners". Commenters agreed that the video was pretty cool, and @Earth Touch added, "Cute little guy!!!!"

Related: TikToker Captures Adorable Clip of Mama Bear and Cubs Trying to Get Over a Fence

Bear Cubs and Their Moms

Mama bears are known for being extremely protective of their cubs and for getting aggressive anytime they feel threatened or think that their cubs are in harm's way. They'll stand up to appear taller if they feel threatened, and they'll also attack without a second thought. They also nurture and feed them until they are about 2-1/2 years old, but there's a lot of learning and practicing how to take care of themselves during that time.

Those first few years, mama bear not only protects and feeds them, but also teaches them how to hunt for their own food, climb trees, fight, and everything else they need to survive. The cubs learn by watching their mom, imitating her, and of course by doing it themselves.

While mama bears seem scary to us humans, it's another story when it comes to their cubs. They're very patient, loving, and even cuddly with their babies. And if the mom comes across orphaned or lost cubs, they've been known to "adopt" them and raise them as their own. They can remember where their hibernation dens are as well as where sources of food are, which helps ensure they can keep their cubs safe and fed.

Of course, bear cubs are adorable, but I hope it goes without saying that if you ever come across cubs without their mom (and especially if they're with their mom) never approach them or try to pet them. You never know where mom might be and the last thing you want to do is get between a mama bear and her cubs.

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