Grizzly Bear Facts
With large deadly claws and a sweet furry face these incredible animals are powerful yet enduring. With big brown eyes and given the name “Grizzly” for the white tips on their fur, these bears are amazing to watch. When you see a couple of bear cubs playing, they certainly pull at your heart strings.
Grizzly Bears have a lifespan of approximately 20 years in the wild. Females typically, live longer than male bears since they do not engage in fights during mating season.
Popular in Alaska, USA, a hot spot for Grizzly Bears, during the salmon run in July-August, these solitary animals come together near lakes, streams and ponds to fish. Fortunately for these bears an increase in bear viewing and bear photography is starting to out-number revenues from hunting. British Columbia, Canada also has a large number of Grizzly Bears but are not protected like Alaska, from hunting as of yet. Other bear habitats in the past included Mexico and California, USA.
Unfortunately, due to the destruction of habitat and hunting, these bears are now extinct. Grizzly Bears come in a variety shades of brown, from bright yellow golden brown to dark brown fur and some even have white and black fur patches.
Some Grizzly Bears hibernate for 5-7 months, building dens typically at elevations above 5,900 feet on north-facing slopes. Other Grizzly Bears stay awake throughout the winter season if there is enough food supply to carry them during the winter months. Males emerge from the den at the end of March and females come out in the months of April and May. Grizzly bears can put on an additional 400 Lbs of weight to prepare them during the hibernation period. Not all bears return to their cave-like den every night, some will build another bed amongst the trees with a bed of sticks, leaves and shrubs.
Grizzly Bears reach maturity at around 5 years old and may usually reproduce 3 years later. Should a female have an unsuccessful pregnancy, her next pregnancy may be delayed even longer than the 3 years. Most females will reproduce 1-2 cubs on average and in some cases as many as 3 cubs. Starting off at only 1 pound these bears grow up to be as heavy as up to 450 Lbs for females and 800 Lbs for males. They typically return to the same territories annually.
Although they are carnivores, (meat eaters) their diet consist of both plants, and animals and have a great love for wild berries. They have been known to prey on large mammals, when available, such as moose, elk, caribou, white-tailed deer, mule deer, bighorn sheep, bison, and even black bears. They typically hunt young and injured individuals rather than healthy adults. Male bears will attack, kill and eat and young cubs. With mums leading the way and teaching these cubs life lessons of survival she provides a fighting chance.
Typically Grizzly Bears will not attack humans, unless under threat and fear one of their cubs may be in danger. Finding food sources include digging for clams along the shoreline, fishing for salmon, trout, and bass, and scavenge for food left behind by other animals. They will eat birds and their eggs. Occasionally they will climb up trees and raid bald eagle nests and raid beehives eating not only the honey but the larvae as well.
Bear viewing and bear photographing is a memorable experience and a must when traveling to Alaska or British Columbia. Be sure have a bear guide, specialized tour company or stay at lodging with bear professionals to ensure you have a safe and intimate bear encounter! Read more about our Alaska Bears and BC Bears Tours