Ursus Arctus
The Grizzly Bear, also known as the North American brown bear or simply grizzly, is a large population or subspecies of the brown bear inhabiting North America. In North America, grizzly bears previously ranged from Alaska down to Mexico and as far east as the western shores of Hudson Bay; the species is now found in Alaska, south through much of western Canada, and into portions of the northwestern United States, extending as far south as Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. In Canada, there are approximately 25,000 grizzly bears. Although variable in color from blond to nearly black, grizzly bear fur is typically brown with darker legs and commonly white or blond tipped fur on the flank and back. Occasionally a huge male grizzly has been recorded, whose size greatly exceeds ordinary, with weights reported up to 1,500 lb. A large coastal male of this size may stand up to 9.8 ft tall on its hind legs and be up to 4.9 ft at the shoulder. Grizzlies hibernate for 5–7 months each year. To prepare for hibernation, grizzlies must prepare a den, and consume an immense amount of food as they do not eat during hibernation. The male grizzly bear’s hibernation ends in early to mid-March, while females emerge in April or early May. The average lifespan for a male is estimated at 22 years, with that of a female being slightly longer at 26.
Although grizzlies are of the order Carnivora and have the digestive system of carnivores, they are normally omnivores: their diets consist of both plants and animals. They have been known to prey on large mammals, when available, such as moose, elk, caribou, white-tailed deer, mule deer, bighorn sheep & bison. Grizzly bears feed on fish such as salmon, trout, and bass. Bears with access to a more protein-rich diet in coastal areas potentially grow larger than inland individuals. It has been estimated that a bite from a grizzly could even crush a bowling ball. Grizzlies are considered more aggressive compared to black bears when defending themselves and their offspring.
