Many folks who live near the water take it for granted, but wild animals know exactly how to make the most of their natural habitat. While humans are busy lounging on the shore or waiting for the fish to bite, critters like Alaska’s bears are diving in and going for a swim.
In the case of one massive brown bear that traveler @achdiefranzi spotted in Katmai National Park, it would be more accurate to say he’s going for a float! The unbothered bear drifted downriver without a care in the world (or an ounce of effort) while on the hunt for salmon, and everyone’s stunned by how easily he floats. Those back paws bobbing along in the back could leave anyone smiling!
What an adorable bear! Brown bears may be Alaska’s most formidable predator—behind polar bears, that is—but they can also be incredibly cute. Suddenly, the concept of a teddy bear makes so much sense!
The only thing funnier than the bear’s paws drifting along behind him is the single salmon with zero survival skills! Either the fish can’t see the huge bear lumbering toward it, or they’re a bit too confident in the concept of safety in numbers.
Related: Wildlife Photographer Captures Intense Moment a Grizzly Bear Shows His Dominance
Most of the salmon in the river may not feel the same way about the swimming bear, but people can’t get enough of the chill brown bear. Commenter @cowierandle had me laughing out loud with their joke, “he’s such a good buoy!”
Others are grieving the fact that bears aren’t friendly, because this fluffy guy looks like the best cuddle buddy and swimming pal. Even if we can’t approach bears, we can appreciate them from a safe distance, just like they did in this video.
Why Do Bears Float?
Not many people stop and think about why some animals float while others sink, but this video raises the important question. After all, bears are so large and heavy, so why isn’t this guy sinking?
Many animals, including bears, have thick layers of fat beneath the skin that keep them warm and nourished through cold winters. This fat is less dense than water, which makes these animals float whenever they’re submerged.
Katmai National Park is an iconic location to view brown bears just like this one, though you’ll have to be truly lucky to see a cool moment like this. You truly never know what you’ll witness with bears around!
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This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Sep 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.