About Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis)



Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are large mammals belonging to the Ursidae family. They are native to North America and are one of the most iconic and powerful land predators on the continent.

Grizzly Bear Appearance

Grizzly bears are easily recognizable by their humped shoulders, which are more prominent than those of black bears.

They have a distinctive concave facial profile, with a prominent forehead.

Grizzly Bear Size

Adult male grizzlies can weigh between 300 to 1,500 pounds (136 to 680 kilograms), while females are generally smaller, ranging from 200 to 700 pounds (91 to 318 kilograms).

Standing on their hind legs, grizzlies can reach heights of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters).

Grizzly Bear Range

Historically, grizzly bears roamed across much of North America, from Alaska to Mexico and from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Plains. However, their range has significantly decreased due to habitat loss and human encroachment.

Grizzly Bear Habitat

Grizzly bears inhabit a variety of ecosystems, including forests, alpine meadows, tundra, and coastal areas. They are adaptable and can be found in a range of environments.

Grizzly Bear Diet

Grizzlies are omnivores with a diverse diet. They feed on a variety of foods, including berries, roots, nuts, fish, insects, small mammals, and carrion. During certain times of the year, such as in the fall, they may consume large quantities of food to build up fat reserves for hibernation.

Grizzly Bear Hibernation

Grizzly bears undergo a period of hibernation during the winter months. This is a state of reduced metabolic activity when they live off stored fat. Hibernation helps them conserve energy when food sources are scarce.

Grizzly Bear Behavior

Grizzly bears are generally solitary animals, with males being especially territorial.

They are known for their strength and can be aggressive if they feel threatened, especially when defending cubs or territory.

Conservation Status

Grizzly bears are listed as a threatened species in the United States, and their conservation status varies by region. Threats include habitat loss, human-bear conflicts, and illegal hunting.

Conservation Efforts

Efforts are being made to protect grizzly bear populations and their habitats. Conservation measures include habitat preservation, wildlife corridors, and education programs to reduce conflicts with humans.

Grizzly bears play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of their ecosystems, and efforts to ensure their conservation are essential for the overall health of North American ecosystems.

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Grizzly Bears in Canada

Wild Grizzly Bears


Grizzly Bear - Brown Bear Species

Genetic science reveals the grizzly to be a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). In North America, "brown bear" is also known as "grizzly bear", being all the same species, Ursus arctos.

Coastal grizzly bears are larger and darker than inland grizzlies. They were considered a different species from grizzlies at one time. Kodiak grizzly bears also were considered a distinct species. At that time there were five different species of brown bear, including these three in North America.



Grizzly Bear Size

Female grizzlies usually weigh 130–180 kg (290–400 lb), while adult male grizzly bears weigh on average 180–360 kg (400–790 lb). Female Grizzly Bear average weights would be 136 kg (300 lb) inland and 227 kg (500 lb) coastal. One study found that the average weight for an inland male grizzly bear was around 272 kilograms (600 pounds), and the average weight for a coastal male was around 408 kg (899 lb). Newborn grizzly bear cubs uausally weigh less than 500 grams (1.1 lb).



Grizzly Bear Fur Color

Although grizzlies color can be blond to nearly black, grizzly bear fur is usually brown with darker legs and commonly white or blond tipped fur on the flank and back.



Grizzly Bear Physical Characteristics

A large muscular hump exists on adult grizzly bear shoulders. Aside from the distinguishing hump, grizzly bears also have "dished in" face profiles with short, rounded ears.

Grizzly bear's rear end is lower than its shoulders, where as a black bear's rump is higher than its shoulders.

Grizzly bear's front claws are usually 2–4 inches in length, where as a black bear's claws measure about 1–2 inches in length.



Grizzly Bear Hibernation

Grizzly bears hibernate from 5 to 7 months each year unless they live in warm climates where they may not hibernate at all. During hibernation, female grizzly bears give birth and their offspring will consume milk from their mother for the remainder of the hibernation period.

Grizzly bears must consume an immense amount of food to prepare for hibernation. Bears can gain hundreds of pounds during the period just before hibernation called hyperphagia. In this period, grizzlies may consume up to 10 times the amount of calories compared to Spring and Summer.

Bears do not eat during hibernation. Grizzly bears do not defecate or urinate throughout the entire hibernation period. Male grizzly bears usually come out of hibernation in early to mid-March, while females emerge in April or early May.

Bears often wait for a snowstorm as a trigger to enter their den. This behavior reduces the chances that predators will find the den. Grizzly Bear dens are typically at elevations above 1,800 m (5,900 ft) on north-facing slopes.

Inland or Rocky Mountain grizzlies spend nearly half of their life in dens while coastal grizzly bears spend less time in dens. If food is very plentiful year round, grizzly bears may not hibernate at all.



Grizzly Bear Reproduction

Grizzly bears have one of the lowest reproductive rates of all land mammals in North America. Grizzly bears do not reach sexual maturity until they are at least five years old. After mating, females delay embryo implantation until hibernation, during which miscarriage can occur if the female is not in good enough condition. Female grizzly bears usually produce two cubs in a litter, with the mother caring for the cubs for up to two years before mating again.

Grizzlies are normally solitary animals, but in coastal areas, grizzlies gather around streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds during the salmon spawn. Females (sows) produce one to four cubs that are small and weigh only about 450 grams (1 lb) at birth. Unfortunately, most grizzly bear cubs do not make it through their first year due to many factors.



Grizzly Bear Lifespan

The average lifespan for a grizzly boar is estimated at 22 years, with sows living slightly longer at 26.

Females live longer than males due to their less dangerous life, as they do not fight during mating season like boars do. The oldest known wild inland grizzly was about 34 years old(Alaska), with the oldest known coastal bear being 39. Captive grizzlies have been known to live as long as 44 years.