Species in Peril:
GRIZZLY BEARS
The largest mammal in North America
Grizzlies love to eat!
Grizzlies feed on berries, plant roots and shoots, small mammals, fish, calves of many hoofed animals, and carrion. Food is often cached in shallow holes, and grizzlies dig readily and vigorously in search of rodents.
Each spring the bear marks the boundary of its territory by rubbing trees, scratching bark, or even biting large pieces from the trunks of trees. During late summer and autumn, grizzlies accumulate large amounts of fat and then retire to dens in winter.
They're massive (and fast!).
Grizzlies are massive animals with humped shoulders and an elevated forehead. The fur is brown, and the hairs are usually silver- or pale-tipped to give the grizzled effect for which they are named. Large adult grizzlies can grow to be up to 8 feet long and weigh about 900 pounds. Some large adult males can weigh up to 1200 pounds.
Grizzlies, however, are surprisingly agile for their size and can run as fast as 30 mph. Word of warning-you will NOT be able to outrun them. Their eyesight is poor, and they have been known to attack humans without evident provocation.
Females with cubs are the most aggressive, and due to their large size, grizzly bears are at the top of the food chain.
Near Extinction
In the 19th century, grizzly bears numbered in the tens of thousands. The formidable bears were threatened with extinction as their habitat was decimated by logging, mining, oil and gas drilling, and land development. They were almost killed to extinction, however, due to action taken by the United States, grizzly bears are regaining ground in places like Yellowstone and along the northern Continental Divide.
However, they continue to struggle in the Idaho panhandle, northwest Montana, and the Cascades.
Habitat destruction is occurring in certain areas where bears are spreading and threats to key food sources have led to increased conflict with humans, leading to additional grizzly bear death.
A Few More Facts About Grizzly bears
- Grizzly bears will nurse for their cubs for up to three years.
- Grizzly bear cubs are usually born in litters of two (twins)
- They live about 30 years in the wild and 40 years in captivity.
- They love to eat moths
- They are good at covering their trackers
- They have been observed mating with polar bears in some areas
- They have better sense of smell than hound dogs
- Their jaw pressure is strong enough to crush a skull
Video: NatGeo featured grizzly bears video
Species Name
Ursus Arctos
Estimated Population
55,000 globally
Conservation Status
Threatened
Range
Tundra, Alpine meadows and Coastline of North America
Reasons for Population Decline
Habitat Loss
Hunting
