The coastal brown bear, commonly referred to as the grizzly bear, possesses fur that features tips with a grayish or grizzled appearance.
- Type: Mammal
- Diet: Omnivore
- The average lifespan in the wild: 25 years
- Size: 5 to 8 ft (1. 5 to 2. 5 m)
- Weight: 800 lbs (363 kg)
- Protection Status: Threatened
- Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
- Fast Facts:
- Grizzly bear
- Species name: Ursus arctos horribilus
- Average weight: 250 – 350 kg (male) 125 – 175 kg (female)
- Life expectancy: 15 – 20 years
The brown bear, a subspecies native to North America, includes the grizzly bear.
Grizzly bears are typically solitary, except for females and their cubs. However, they occasionally gather. In Alaska, you can observe impressive gatherings of these magnificent creatures at well-known fishing spots when salmon swim upstream to spawn in the summer. At this time, many bears come together to feast on the fish as they need fatty food to survive the upcoming winter. Brown bears construct dens in hillsides for hibernation and select a suitable location carefully. It is during this period of winter sleep that female bears give birth to their young, often having twins.
Grizzly bears, also known as grizzlies, are top predators in the food chain. Despite their strength, a significant part of their diet consists of nuts, berries, fruit, leaves and roots. They also hunt various animals from rodents to moose. Although they are generally brown in color, their fur may have a white-tipped or grizzled appearance which is how they got their name. Despite being large in size, these bears are surprisingly fast and have been observed running at speeds up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour. If startled or if they come between a mother bear and her cubs, grizzlies can pose a threat to humans. In the past, grizzly bears inhabited extensive areas in western North America and even roamed through the Great Plains.
The grizzly bear population has been significantly reduced due to European settlement, leading to about 1,000 remaining grizzlies in the continental U.S. with legal protection. However, Canada and Alaska still have a substantial number of grizzlies in their wild areas where they are hunted for trophies. It is worth noting that the grizzly bear is North America’s second-largest land carnivore.
In terms of physical characteristics, the grizzly bear is known for its robust and bulky body which measures approximately 1 meter from nose to tail. Its impressive shoulder hump supports its massive front legs, while it also possesses remarkably long front claws and a concave facial profile on its large head. The color of its fur typically ranges from darkish brown to black or ivory yellow. Additionally, it features long hairs on its head and shoulders with white tips, giving it a “grizzled” appearance that contributes to its name. Its legs and feet usually have an even darker coloration. Despite its size, the grizzly bear can reach speeds of up to 55 kilometers per hour when running – quite surprising!
Despite their diminished eyesight, grizzly bears depend on their strong senses of smell and hearing to make up for it. These independent animals may have territories that intersect with those of other bears. Contrary to common belief, grizzly bears do not truly hibernate and can stay active even during the winter months. They occupy a diverse array of habitats, such as dense forests, alpine meadows, and arctic tundra. Grizzly bears encounter no predators apart from humans.
The grizzly bear is often categorized as a carnivore, but it actually has an omnivorous diet, consuming both meat and vegetation. While vegetation makes up the majority of its diet (around 80 to 90 percent), the grizzly also actively hunts mammals and feeds on spawning salmon when they are available. In the winter months, the grizzly relies on berries to accumulate fat reserves for survival. Additionally, it opportunistically scavenges human leftovers and garbage at campsites and dumps. Thanks to its adaptability, the grizzly bear can inhabit a diverse range of habitats, making it the most widely distributed species among bears.
The grizzly bear, also known as Urus arctos horribilis, is found in western Canada up to the eastern boundary of Manitoba, Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington. Unfortunately, human population growth and occupation of its territory have greatly reduced the grizzly bear’s range. In the 1800s, there were around 50,000 grizzly bears spread across the Great Plains and Pacific Ocean in the lower 48 states of North America. However, currently only about 2% of their previous range in these states is occupied by grizzly bears with approximately 1,300 remaining in the wild.
However, Alaska has a substantial population of grizzly bears, with over 30,000 individuals.
Grizzly Bear Facts
- The average male grizzly bear is about 7 feet tall and weighs between 400 to 600 pounds.
- They generally live around 25 years.
- Grizzly bears are omnivores and eat both plants and other animals.
- Around 85% of their diet is green vegetation, nuts, berries, insects, and roots.
- They do eat some meat mainly elk, moose or deer. In Alaska, Salmon is a big part of their diet.
- Female Grizzlies have 1 to 3 cubs every 3 years or so. The cubs will stay with the mother for 2 to 3 years.
- Grizzly bears hibernate in the winter usually 5 to 6 months. They live off their accumulated fat and don’t eat during hibernation.
- Best National Parks for Grizzly Bear Viewing Katmai National Park, Alaska Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Glacier National Park, Montana Denali National Park, Alaska National Park
Service
The Grizzly Bear in the lower 48 states was declared Threatened in 1967, but its population near Yellowstone National Park has made an impressive comeback. In 1975, it was estimated that there were only 136 grizzly bears living in and around Yellowstone.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) intends to delist grizzlies in the Yellowstone Region from the threatened species list due to their population count surpassing 580 animals.
Did you know that there are many fascinating facts about Grizzly Bears? For instance, were you aware of the following:
- Grizzly bears, Ursus arctos horribilis, are a subspecies of the brown bear.
- The grizzly gets its name from its white-tipped or grizzled fur.
- The grizzly bear once roamed North America from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Plains.
- Today, grizzlies are found in only 5 U. S. states (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, and Alaska) and 4 Canadian provinces (British Colombia, Alberta, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories).
- Grizzlies are omnivores meaning they eat both plants and animals.
- Grizzly bears prey on large animals such as moose, sheep, deer, and elk. They feed on fish including salmon and trout. And grizzlies eat roots, tubers, berries, and nuts.
- Grizzly bears are the second-largest member of the bear family. Male grizzlies can stand 10 ft (3m) tall and weigh more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
- Grizzlies are easily identified by their long, curved claws, shoulder hump, and concave or dish-shaped face.
- Grizzly bears can run up to 35 mph (56 km/h) but they can only do so for short distances. Grizzlies are sprinters not marathon runners.
- Grizzlies, like all other bears, retreat to their den in winter. Yet grizzly bears are not true hibernators. Their body temperature drops only a few degrees and breathing rate slows just slightly.
- What’s more, grizzlies sleep lightly and are easily awakened from their winter slumber. Did You Know? Grizzly bears may gain as much as three pounds of weight a day as they prepare for hibernation.
Defenders of Wildlife has been dedicated to promoting the recovery of grizzly bears in the northern Rockies since their listing as threatened in 1975. Our efforts have led to positive outcomes, as grizzly populations in the greater Yellowstone region have nearly tripled over the past thirty years. Additionally, Glacier National Park is now home to 48% of the bears residing in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. To address concerns regarding grizzlies causing livestock losses, we established the Defenders of Wildlife Grizzly Compensation Trust in 1997. This trust offers compensation to ranchers for any incidents resulting in such losses.
In 1999, Defenders of Wildlife established a fund to support proactive measures aimed at reducing conflicts between bears and humans. These initiatives involve the installation of bear-resistant garbage dumpsters and electric fences. The organization’s focus is on conserving bears and their habitats, with the ultimate aim of ensuring a thriving and sustainable grizzly population in the Western region.
Status/Protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the grizzly bear as a threatened species in the Lower 48 states in 1975 under the Endangered Species Act.
Alaska is home to around 30,000 grizzly bears, classified as game animals and governed by regulations. Additionally, the grizzly bear population in Yellowstone was declared recovered and removed from the endangered species list in April 2007.
The grizzly bear, or Ursus horribilis, is an enormous animal that can weigh up to 800lbs and stand on its hind legs at heights of 8 feet. It’s worth noting that it can run as fast as 40km/h, faster than an Olympic athlete. While the grizzly bear usually prefers solitude, it does look for companionship during mating season. Despite its reputation for aggression, it generally avoids hunting humans or causing disruptions.
The strong fear of grizzly bears is due to several factors. One reason is their lack of climbing skills, unlike other bear species who rely on trees for defense. Consequently, when confronted with danger, grizzlies are more prone to staying and fighting instead of fleeing and hiding. This contradicts the common misconception fueled by stories and movies that grizzlies participate in aggressive hunting rampages. Furthermore, as omnivores, they also delight in consuming different plant-based foods such as berries, fruits, pine nuts, and roots.
References:
- http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/grizzly-bear.html
- http://www.eparks.org/wild_alaska/alaskas_wildlife/grizzly. asp
- http://www. kidscantravel.com/familyattractions/pelicanvalley/funstuffkids/index.html
