And while most grizzly attacks occur either in or near national parks, black bear attacks are more widespread. He points out that motives for attacks also differ between the species. Although any bear that rips open a tent at night is looking at the occupants as food, grizzly bear attacks during daylight hours are seldom predatory. They attack to protect their cubs, kills, or territory and usually stop once they feel the threat from the intruder has been eliminated. That tends to leave their victims more or less mangled but alive.
Black bears are much more likely to turn tail in a surprise encounter and run.
However, the few that do attack mean to finish the job, regardless of the hour. This means that if you respond to an attack from a black bear by playing dead, you will be shortly. The lone exception may be in an encounter with a sow protecting her cubs. In any confrontation, back away slowly from an aggressive animal while talking to it in an even voice. But if it makes contact, fight back.