# What has bark but no bite?

Source: https://silverapuzzles.com/riddles/what-has-bark-but-no-bite

A pun riddle that sounds like it is about dogs. The saying “all bark and no bite” is the misdirection.

**Answer:** A tree.

Trees are covered in bark.

Hint: Not a dog.

## How to think about it

1. The phrase “bark but no bite” makes you think of a noisy dog that never attacks.
2. Change the meaning of “bark”. Besides a dog’s sound, bark is the rough outer layer of something in the yard.
3. That something cannot bite because it has no mouth.
4. A tree has bark all around its trunk and branches, and it has never bitten anyone.

## Why “a tree” is the answer

Bark is the protective skin of a tree, and a tree has no teeth or mouth, so it has bark without any bite. The riddle is a pun on the dog saying, and the two meanings of “bark” are the whole joke. Younger solvers often guess a quiet dog first, which is exactly what the question wants them to do.

## Common wrong answers

- **A puppy.** A puppy has a bark and also has teeth, so it can bite.
- **A toy dog.** A toy dog that barks and cannot bite is a creative answer, but the riddle is pointing at the other meaning of bark.