Grizzly Bear Photos

About photographing Grizzly bears...

All of the Grizzly bear photographs on this site are available as stock photos for commercial licensing or as fine art display pictures for home and office decor.

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Grizzly bear photos

Grizzly bear overview

Grizzly bear, cloud covered Denali, Denali National Park, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres

The grizzly bear, Ursos arctos horribilis, is a subspecies of the brown bear, Ursos arctos. Grizzlies are generally more solitary, and their diet consists of mostly vegetable matter, while brown bears may be more social, especially congregating in coastal areas during the salmon spawn. There is a large population of Grizzly bears in Alaska, but they are most dense in Canada. They also extend into the northwestern United States including Idaho, Montana, Washington and Wyoming.

Grizzly bear description and diet

Sow grizzly bear and three (triplet) spring cubs on the green summer tundra in Denali National Park, Alaska.©Patrick J. Endres

The Grizzly bear is of the order Carnivora, but they are actually omnivores. Alaskan Grizzly bears have been known to occasionally prey on large mammals such as Dall sheep and Caribou, but they often scavenge for food. In Denali National Park, grizzlies dig up ground squirrels for protein, and also feed on large quantities of blueberries. The interior Grizzly bears do not have as protein rich of a diet and do not grow as large as the coastal bears, which can reach 1500 pounds.

Grizzly bear precautions

Female grizzly bear basks in the morning sun near a small tundra pond in Denali National Park, Alaska.©Patrick J. Endres

Grizzly bears are considered aggressive, even by brown bear standards. Since they can not escape danger by climbing trees like black bears, they respond by standing their ground. Mothers protecting young are especially aggressive, and account for 70% of all human fatalities caused by grizzlies. Grizzlies are solitary and normally avoid contact with people. Making noise when in the wilderness can alert any nearby bears of human presence, and they will likely keep their distance. Many attacks are caused by bears that are surprised. Another important precaution is to keep a very clean campsite so bears do not become accustomed to easy food. Food should be stored in bear proof containers away from camp.