History Main / MamaBear

->"''That's what moms are like -- if you mess with their babies, they'll bite you back.''"
-->-- '''Princess [[MeaningfulName Ursa]]''', ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''

Oftentimes, when a previously perceived meek mother goes into this mode, it's her CrowningMomentOfAwesome. Heaven help you if an ActionMomor even a TeamMom invokes this trope. And if you think a normal MamaBear is scary, hell hath no fury like a MotherlyScientist with access to OneManArmy levels of weaponry/technology/money/superpowers to protect her children. It can lead to a DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu moment.

MyBelovedSmother might ''think'' she's this, but...

Oftentimes, when a previously perceived meek mother goes into this mode, it's her CrowningMomentOfAwesome. Heaven help you if an ActionMom invokes this trope. And if you think a normal MamaBear is scary, hell hath no fury like a MotherlyScientist with access to OneManArmy levels of weaponry/technology/money/superpowers to protect her children. It can lead to a DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu moment.

Men who exhibit Mama Bear tendencies are referred to as [[PapaWolf "Papa Wolves"]] rather than "Papa Bears" -- Disney aside, male bears are notoriously poor parents in the animal kingdom (in fact, infanticide among bears is the main reason why mama bears are so protective in the first place), whereas male (and female) wolves will react to their offspring being threatened in a very similar manner to mother bears.

Men who exhibit Mama Bear tendencies are referred to as [[PapaWolf "Papa Wolves"]] rather than "Papa Bears" -- Disney aside, male bears are notoriously poor parents in the animal kingdom (in fact, infanticide among bears is the main reason why mama bears are so protective in the first place), whereas male (and female) wolves will react to their offspring being threatened in a very similar manner to mother bears. Due to the DoubleStandard, however, there are some differences.

While Mama Bear moments are usually treated as awesome, they're also... ''scary''. Even the children Mama Bear is protecting are often scared by it. Sometimes this is even highlighted by the children starting to cry after the moment is over and the danger gone and for he mother to comfort them.

When invoked by a woman, this trope is occasionally criticized as [[MostWritersAreMale sexist]] against both sexes because of its other nameis, Uterus of Justice. It seems that only a child in danger can turn a woman into a badass (other than [[WomanScorned being scorned, and revealing fury like which hell hath none]]), and only a woman (and ''never'' a man) can care enough about a child to be driven all the way from mild-mannered to badass just by seeing them threatened, PapaWolf be damned.

*** Taken further in the most recent game installation, [=EP8=]. [[spoiler:Erika]], darling, never ''ever'' [[KickTheDog tell poor little Maria that her mommy doesn't love her]]. [[spoiler:Because said mommy will not only flip her shit at that, but ''fucking shove a rifle down your throat''.]] Don't say we didn't warn you.

->"''That's what moms are like -- if you mess with their babies, they'll bite bite you back.''"

Sometimes overlaps with ApronMatron. Can be a cause of LetsGetDangerous, showing that the sweet and caring mother figure is dangerous. May be a KnightTemplarParent. Provides a simultaneously simple and believable way to switch someone between {{Badass}} and [[{{Moe}} more "cute"]] modes without compromising character as either. After all, if ItsPersonal...

While Mama Bear moments are usually treated as awesome, they're also... ''scary''. Even the children Mama Bear is protecting are often scared by it. Sometimes this is even highlighted by the children starting to cry after the moment is over and the danger gone and for he mother to comfort them. PapaWolf incidents, on the other hand, receive standing ovation from the kids, and comments like: "You were so cool, Dad!"

-->-- '''[[MeaningfulName Princess Ursa]]''', ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''

* ''TabletopGame/Champions'' Organization Book ''The Circle and M.E.T.E.'', adventure "The Hatching". The M.E.T.E. (Metropolitan Extra Terrestrial Enclave) receives a large spherical object (called Case 39) that was found in a national park. It eventually hatches out an alien Blob-like monster which goes on a rampage. Three months later the alien's mother shows up and tries to rescue its child, and heaven help any superhero that gets in its way.

%% * Umbridge in a ''AVeryPotterSequel''...in a very different sense of this trope... "It's your Mama Umbridge's job to keep her baby bears safe!"

* King Agamemnon's wife, Queen Clytemnestra, killed him because he had sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia to the gods. The fact that Agamemnon was [[YourCheatingHeart bringing his new mistress Cassandra home from the Trojan War]] probably [[WomanScorned did not help his case either]].
** However, it's worth noting that Clytemnestra and her lover also tried to kill her son (by Agamemnon) Orestes when he was a small child, and treated the remaining daughter Electra poorly (and in some versions, tried to get her killed as well). [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope So she's not the best example of this trope]].
*** And was also having an affair.

* Umbridge in a AVeryPotterSequel...in a very different sense of this trope...
** "It's your Mama Umbridge's job to keep her baby bears safe!"

While Mama Bear moments are usually treated as awesome, they're also... well, ''scary''. Even the children Mama Bear is protecting are often scared by it. Sometimes this is even highlighted by the children starting to cry after the moment is over and the danger gone -- which, of course, turns Mama Bear back into the ApronMatron. PapaWolf incidents, on the other hand, receive standing ovation from the kids, and comments like: "You were so cool, Dad!" Notice how most Mama Bears are mothers of main characters, while Papa Wolves tend to be main characters themselves.

When invoked by a woman, this trope is occasionally criticized as [[MostWritersAreMale sexist]] against both sexes. This trope is also known as the Uterus of Justice, because it often seems that only a child in danger can turn a woman into a badass (other than [[WomanScorned being scorned, and revealing fury like which hell hath none]]), and only a woman (and ''never'' a man, the dick) can care enough about a child to be driven all the way from mild-mannered to badass just by seeing them threatened, PapaWolf be damned.

->"''That's what moms are like -- if you mess with their babies, they're gonna bite you back.''"

** In answer, and in a much more heroic example, [[spoiler:Morgan's eldest sister Misty Fey totes around a sword-cane and swears to do anything necessary to keep her remaining daughter Maya safe (the eldest one, Mia, had been already killed), up to and including Morgan's death, or her own. The latter comes to pass when she deliberately channels Dahlia's murderous spirit so little Pearl won't be able to, and "Dahlia" gets killed while trying and failing to bring her plan about.]]

When invoked by a woman, this trope is occasionally criticized as [[MostWritersAreMale sexist]] against both sexes. This trope is also known as the Uterus of Justice, because it often seems that only a child in danger can turn a woman into a badass (other than [[WomanScorned being scorned, and revealing fury like which hell hath none]]), and only a woman (and ''never'' a man, the dick) can care enough about a child to be driven all the way from mild-mannered to badass just by seeing them threatened, PapaWolf be damned..

When invoked by a woman, this trope is occasionally criticized as [[MostWritersAreMale sexist]] against both sexes. This trope is also known as the Uterus of Justice, because it often seems that only a child in danger can turn a woman into a badass (other than [[WomanScorned being scorned, and revealing fury like which hell hath none]]), and only a woman (and ''never'' a man, the dick) can care enough about a child to be driven all the way from mild-mannered to badass just by seeing them threatened.

* Diss Reba McEntire, I dare you; [[http://www.facebook.com/TerriClark/posts/144819435568883 Terri Clark will take your face off]]

* MamaBear/LiveActionFilms
* MamaBear/LiveActionTV

* MamaBear/{{Anime And Manga}}
* MamaBear/{{Comic Books}}
* MamaBear/{{Fan Fiction}}
* MamaBear/{{Animated Films}}
* MamaBear/{{Live-Action Films}}

* MamaBear/{{Live-Action TV}}
* MamaBear/{{Video Games}}
* MamaBear/{{Web Comics}}
* MamaBear/{{Web Original}}
* MamaBear/{{Western Animation}}
* MamaBear/{{Real Life}}

* ''TabletopGame/Champions'' Organization Book ''The Circle and M.E.T.E.''. In one adventure the M.E.T.E. (Metropolitan Extra Terrestrial Enclave) receives a large egg that was found in a national park. It eventually hatches out an alien Blob-like monster and goes on a rampage. Later the alien's mother shows up and tries to rescue its child, and heaven help any superhero that gets in its way.

* ''The Morrow Project''. Female bears and pigs are noted as being especially protective of their young and prone to attack if they are threatened.

** Mayfair Games' 1E Role Aids supplement ''Lizardmen''. When female lizardmen are guarding the eggs in the hatchling pool, they fight at as level 3 fighters (instead of their normal Level 1), a bonus given them by the lizardman deity Rega.

* In ''DungeonsAndDragons'', the [[http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG138.jpg Grey Render]] is a huge monstrosity with a penchant for "adopting" small creatures of other species, to whom it will thereafter bring food and protection. And if you dare so much as look at them funny, ''it will tear you down'' like the squishy little piece of meat you are and share your body with its protegés.

* ''DungeonsAndDragons'', 1st Edition ''Monster Manual''. When a pair of mated dragons had offspring, any attack on the young dragons caused the father and mother to attack the intruders with a ferocity bonus of +2 to hit and +1/+3 on clawing/biting damage.