Brown bear and grizzly bear photos
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Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
Formerly, taxonomists listed brown and grizzly bears
as separate species. 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.
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.” In
this paper, brown bear is used to refer to all members of Ursus
arctos.
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. Both the prominent hump and the long
claws of the brown bear are adaptations that are related to
feeding behavior. The long claws are useful in digging for roots
or excavating burrows of small mammals. The musculature and
bone structure of the hump are adaptations for digging and for
attaining bursts of speed necessary for capture of moose or
caribou for food.
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.
Inland bears are usually smaller than coastal
bears, probably because they do not have a readily available
supply of protein-rich food, such as salmon, in their diet. © Patrick J. Endres
Brown bears have been known to live 34 years in the wild, though
this is rare. Usually, old males may reach 22 years. Old females
may live to 26. Brown bears have an especially good sense of
smell and under the right conditions may be able to detect odors
more than a mile distant. Their hearing and eyesight are probably
equivalent to that of humans. When bears stand upright, it is
not to get ready to charge but to test the wind and to see better.
Life history
Litter size ranges from one to four cubs, but
two is most common. © Patrick J. Endres Mating takes place from May through July with the
peak of activity in early June. Brown bears generally do not
have strong mating ties. Individual bears are rarely seen with
a mate for more than a week. Males may mate with more than one
female during breeding season. The hairless young, weighing
less than a pound, are born the following January or February
in a winter den. Offspring typically separate from their
mothers as 2-year olds in May or June. Following separation,
the mother can breed again and produce a new litter of cubs
the following year. In some parts of Alaska, research results
reveal that offspring may not separate from their mothers until
they are 3 to 5 years old. This appears to be most common in
areas where food is scarce. In some of these areas, females
may skip one to three years before producing new litters.
Bear populations vary depending on the productivity of the
environment. In areas of low productivity, such as on Alaska’s
North Slope, studies have revealed bear densities as low as
one bear per 300 square miles. In areas teeming with easily
available food, such as Admiralty Island in Southeast Alaska,
densities as high as one bear per square mile have been found.
In central Alaska, both north and south of the Alaska Range,
bear densities tend to be intermediate, about one bear per 15-23
square miles. These are average figures which should not’t
be interpreted to mean that each bear has this much territory
for its exclusive use. The area occupied by any individual bear
may overlap that used by many other individuals.
Safety
Brown bears along the Brooks river in southwest Alaska share the same river with fishermen. All brown bears should be treated with respect and
can be safely observed only from a distance of at least 100
yards. This is especially true for family groups of a female
and her offspring as mother bears are very protective towards
their young. Bears protecting a food source, such as the buried
carcass of a moose or caribou, should also be treated with special
caution. In bear country, campers can best avoid conflicts with
bears if they minimize food odors, store their food out of a
bear’s reach and away from their camp, and avoid camping
on bear travel routes.
Food habits
Brown bear with red salmon in the Brooks River, Katmai National Park, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres Except for females with offspring and breeding animals, bears
are typically solitary creatures and avoid the company of other
bears. Exceptions to this occur where food sources are concentrated
such as streams where bears can catch salmon swimming upstream
to spawn. At McNeil River Falls, the largest concentration of
brown bears occurs annually. Biologists have observed more than
60 bears at one time, attracted by spawning salmon.
Winter
In the winter when food is unavailable or
scarce, most Alaska brown bears enter dens and hibernate through
the winter. © Patrick J. Endres Winter dormancy: In the winter when food is unavailable or
scarce, most Alaska brown bears enter dens and hibernate through
the winter. While in this state, their body temperatures, heart
rate, and other metabolic rates are reduced. Their need for
food and water is eliminated. In northern areas with long hard
winters, bears may spend from 5 to 7 ½ months in dens.
In areas with relatively warmer winters, such as Kodiak Island,
a few bears may stay active all winter. Pregnant females are
usually the first to enter dens in the fall. These females,
with their newborn cubs, are the last to exit dens. Adult males,
on the other hand, appear to enter dens later and emerge earlier
than most other bears.
Research and conservation
Because Alaska contains over 98 percent of the United
States population of brown bears, and more than 70 percent of
the North American population, it has a special responsibility
for this large carnivore. The Alaska Department of Fish and
Game is responsible for managing bears in Alaska and for ensuring
that management is based on scientific knowledge of the biology
of bear populations. Important components of this management
effort include maintaining healthy populations of bears throughout
Alaska, preservation of bear habitat, prevention of over harvest,
and conducting the studies necessary to understand population
requirements. As Alaska continues to develop, it is increasingly
important for the public to recognize that maintaining sufficient
amounts of habitat for brown bears to continue to thrive in
Alaska will mean forgoing opportunities for some kinds of economic
development in some places.
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 |
Technically, brown and grizzly bears are classified as the same species,
Ursus arctos. © Patrick J. Endres 
Brown bear in the Brooks river. © Patrick J. Endres 
Interior grizzly bear in Denali National Park, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres 
Alaska contains over 98 percent of the United States population of brown bears, and more than 70 percent of the North American population. © Patrick J. Endres |
