Brown bear (Grizzly bear)

(Ursus arctos)

Subspecies

many subspecies

 

Life span

30 years

 

Size

Brown bears have a body length of 1.8-2.1m and weigh 147-385kg.

 

Physical Appearance

Brown bears typically have a brown fur, but can vary from cream to almost black. Some have long white-tipped hairs along the shoulders and back, which give the bear a 'grizzled' appearance. They have a hump on their shoulders and long curved claws.

 

Distribution

Brown bears have a widespread distribution and inhabit North America and parts of Europe and Asia.

 

Habitat

Brown bears prefer dense forest areas, alpine tundra regions and river valleys.

 

Diet

Brown bears feed on a variety of foods depending on the time of year, including grasses, roots, berries, fungi, insects, rodents, moose, sheep and carrion. Alaskan brown bears feed heavily on migrating salmon.

 

Social organization and behavior

Brown bears are solitary, but they do not appear to be territorial. Large aggregations sometimes form at feeding areas and these situations can lead to aggression between individuals.

 

Reproduction

Brown bears have a gestation period of 200 days and give birth to 2 cubs.

 

Conservation/status

Brown bears in some regions are classified as threatened, although they are still fairly common in Alaska. Threats include hunting and habitat encroachment, such as logging and road construction.

 

Notes

Brown bears go into torpor, (a period of deep sleep that is not true hibernation) in October-December and become active again in March-May.