The Bears of Alaska
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Brown bears
Diet is one of the main factors that determine the size difference between brown and grizzly bears. © Patrick J. Endres
Brown Bears (Ursus arctos). Formerly, taxonomists listed brown and grizzly bears
as separate species. Technically, brown and
grizzly bears are classified as the same species,
Ursus arctos. Brown bears on Kodiak Island are classified as a
distinct subspecies from those on the mainland because they are
genetically and physically isolated. The shape of their skulls
also differs slightly.
Sow grizzly bear in Alaska's interior. Interior bears are predominantly vegetarians, in contrast to the coastal brown bears. © Patrick J. Endres
The term “brown bear” is commonly used to refer to
the members of this species found in coastal areas where salmon
is the primary food source. Brown bears found inland and in northern
habitats are often called “grizzlies.” Brown Bears have furry coats in shades of blonde, brown, black, or a combination of those colors. The longer outer guard hairs of the brown bear are often tipped with white or silver, giving a "grizzled" appearance.
The large shoulder hump and long claws are distinctives between the brown and black bear. © Patrick J. Endres
The brown bear resembles its close relative the black bear, Ursus
americanus. The brown bear, however, is usually larger, has a
more prominent shoulder hump, less prominent ears, and longer,
straighter claws. Color is not a reliable key in differentiating these bears because
both species have many color phases. Black bears, for example,
occur in many hues of brown, and even shades of blue and white.
Brown bear colors range from dark brown through light blond.
Text adapted from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wildlife
Notebook Series. Text: Sterling Eide and Sterling Miller.
Revised by Harry Reynolds and reprinted 1994
Polar Bears
Polar bears rank with the Kodiak bear as among the largest living carnivores. © Patrick J. Endres
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus), also known as the white bear, or nanuq in some Inuit languages, is native to the Arctic. Its thick blubber and fur insulate it against the cold, and its translucent fur, which appears white or cream-colored, camouflages it from its prey. The bear has a short tail and small ears that help reduce heat loss, as well as a relatively small head and long, tapered body to streamline it for swimming.
Polar bears are adept swimmers. © Patrick J. Endres
The polar bear is a semi-aquatic marine mammal that depends mainly upon the pack ice and the marine food web for survival. It has uniquely adapted for life on a combination of land, sea, and ice and is now dependent on this combination. Scientists now believe that the projected decreases in the polar sea ice due to global warming will have a significant negative impact or even lead to extinction of this species within this century.
Polar bear on sea ice, Arctic, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres
The population of just between 20,000-25,000 polar bears has been shrinking. In Alaska the United States Geological Survey reports now only 42 percent of polar bear cubs reach 12 months of age, down from 65 percent surviving past one year of age 15 years ago. This is a marked 33% reduced survival rate for cubs, and in just 15 years less than 2 of 3 cubs that previously survived are now making it past one year old. (adapted from wikipedia)
Black Bears
Black bears generally have shaggy black hair, the coat can vary in color depending on the subspecies, from white through chocolate-brown, cinnamon-brown and blonde. © Patrick J. Endres
American Black bear (Ursus americanus), occur over most of the forested areas of Alaska, except in some areas in southeast where islands are inhabited only by brown bears. Black bears are most often associated with forests, but depending on the season of the year, they may be found from sea level to alpine areas. They hibernate during winter and may build dens in tree cavities, under logs or rocks, in banks, caves, or culverts, and in shallow depressions.
American Black Bears are omnivores. They eat a wide variety of foods, relying most heavily on grasses, herbs, fruits, and mast. © Patrick J. Endres
After emerging from their winter dens in spring, they seek carrion from winter-killed animals and new shoots of many plant species, especially wetland plants.
Black bears are the smallest of the North American bears. Males are larger than females. They are considerably lighter when they emerge from winter dormancy and may be 20 percent heavier in the fall when they are fat.
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