Ask A Bear: Do Bears Really Like Toothpaste?

Got a burning ursine question? Ask our resident bruin expert in our new weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: Of course I hang my food when I camp—not just to keep you out of my dinner, but also because lots of other critters would jump at the chance of eating my famous Open Fire Burritos. What I want to know is if you're actually interested in my toothpaste and beeswax candles. I know plenty of campers who worry about such things. Am I a fool for using my toothpaste as a pillow? Are you going to bite my head off in order to be minty fresh for your hot date? —David "Preacher" Sullivan, via email

A: David, you should never underestimate the lengths I will go to in order to impress a date—and that includes going after your toothpaste. Nothing sparks my curiosity like unfamiliar or interesting smells. Toothpaste certainly falls into this category, and it doesn't take a lot for me to get excited. (Beeswax candles could fall into this category, too, but more importantly, why are you bringing candles into the woods? What's wrong with a headlamp/flashlight/lantern?)

Need specifics? Back in 2005, in Utah's Rock Canyon park, I woke up two brothers when I slashed open their tent and barged in, trying to get at a toiletry bag with toothpaste in it. I made a curious swipe at one brother's leg, and then bolted. You can imagine how much worse it might've turned out if I took that swipe at your head because you used toothpaste as a pillow. Lucky for you my girlfriend likes the scent of Aquafresh on my breath more than human head.

—BEAR

Got a question for the bear? Send it to askabear@backpacker.com.

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READERS COMMENTS

I can verify that a bear likes toothpaste. After dinner, we had cleaned up our food items into the bear canister, and climbed up on a rock to drink our hot chocolate and watch the stars coming out. We left our toothbrushes on top of the canister-just being lazy-since we would use them after hot choc. We heard "thump" as the canister was knocked over. The bear made off with our toothbrushes! So it pays to be vigilant at all times.
Posted: Nov 23, 2009 sportygirl

I keep getting an "error" message when attempting to send an inquiry to your "Ask A Bear" byline. What I'd like to know, as a follow up to your comments on toothpaste, is whether toothpaste is any more of an attractant than any other food item. I often have a heated discussion with my backpacking companion over the advisability of brushing one's teeth after the evening meal. The issue being: is the lingering odor of toothpaste more of an attractant than say Beef Stew?
Posted: Nov 19, 2009 jhhatch@gmail.com

I've often found a tree blister full of sap a much better fire starter than a candle. Least wise in WA state pine/fir sap is more plentifull than candles and cheaper.
Posted: Nov 19, 2009 Skibum

Warming fire? Really
Posted: Nov 10, 2009 BigDawg

On a backpacking trip in Yosemite, I had a bear cub open a zipper on my pack to get at my tasty, minty, tooth brush.
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 Don

Ever start an emergency warming fire in the rain with a headlamp? Candles have a ton of uses from first aid to lubrication to romance (not really, but if Freud is trekking with you of course it would all be about romance... or ego). Hoping for Freud Fajitas real soon. Bear
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 Cash Bundren4

Let's see, strike a match to light the candle to light the fire. What, no waterproof matches as a backup to the butane lighter? But yes, I carry a candle(s) for my lantern and have used it for heat too. I also carry a photon in my pocket and a Princeton Tec EOS. Enjoy the trails.
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 Nick

Interesting. I had a bear break into my Bear Vault in the High Peaks region in the Adirondacks (yes, they are able to open them there even if you use them correctly) this summer and he ate everything but our toothpaste and my buddy's dip..
Posted: Nov 05, 2009 Alex

Touche. Plenty of room for candles in the BC. In fact, you make it sound so cozy I'd bring some...if I had opposable thumbs.
Posted: Nov 04, 2009 BEAR

Sometimes I bring candles as fire starter.

Sometimes I bring them for a candle lantern which can add warmth to a cold & wet November tent.

I'm just not a gear whore pretending to love nature while I pollute it with batteries & plastic every time Petzl repackages an old toy. Like the old anglers' adage, fishing lures catch more anglers than fish.

Often the right tool for the job is the low-tech tool.
Posted: Nov 04, 2009 Preacher