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Page: Grizzly / Alaskan Brown
bear
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the animals in Alaska page
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Standing large and impressive, coastal Grizzly Bears are an
imposing sight.
Measuring 39” (1 m) tall at the shoulder, over 9 ft (2.7 m) when
standing on their hind legs and weighing in at an impressive
1,200 lbs (560 kg), coastal Grizzly Bears are the largest member
of the Grizzly Bear family and the 2nd largest land carnivore in
North America. In the coastal regions where salmon is the
primary food source, the Grizzly Bear is referred to as a Brown
Bear however they are technically still Grizzly Bears.
Grizzlies are distinguished by the large hump above their
shoulders and their flattened conical shaped face. The large
hump is actually a great mass of muscle used to power the
incredibly strong front paws. Grizzly front paws measuring up to
5” - 7” (12 cm - 17 cm) long and are capped by the more
remarkable 4” (10 cm) long claws! These incredibly strong paws
and claws are used to move rocks and dig in the earth searching
for roots and insects. Although the muscle mass above the
shoulders provides amazing strength, it is also a hindrance to
the grizzly and slows it down when it is running downhill.
Although lacking a visible muscle mass, it is the powerful hind
legs, with paws measuring up to 12” (30 cm) long that are able
to support the entire weight of the Grizzly when standing on two
legs. Grizzlies can be seen standing up and even walking short
distances as they look around taking in their surroundings.
The average Grizzly Bear territory is over 1,500 sq miles (4,000
sq km) with the preference being open country and valley
bottoms. Grizzlies appear to be slow movers, lumbering along,
swinging their head side-to-side, however they are powerful
runners capable of running at speeds up to 35 mph (50 km/h).
Being primarily nocturnal, they cover amazing distances
travelling under the cover of darkness.
Grizzlies are thought of as being strictly carnivores, but they
are actually omnivores with up to 90% of their diet coming from
vegetable sources including berries and roots, which they dig
for using their strong front legs. In the coastal regions,
Grizzlies consume large quantities of salmon. Standing in the
middle of a salmon spawning stream, Grizzlies wait patiently
watching and waiting for salmon to jump upstream. Once a salmon
is airborne, the grizzly will catch them mid-air snatching them
between their teeth. Alternatively, they’ve been seen “Bobbing
for Salmon”, pinning the salmon underwater, plunging their face
in the running stream and coming up with their dinner in their
jaws.
It is this plentiful supply of salmon that will sometimes bring
dozens of otherwise solitary Grizzly Bears together in close
proximity to each other. As the food supply is so grand they
generally tolerate each other well, however occasionally vicious
fights will break out.
It is believed that Grizzlies do not enter a true hibernation,
instead entering what is termed a “false hibernation”. During
false hibernation, the bear may wake and walk around outside
during the winter. In preparation for this false hibernation,
grizzlies may gain up to 400 lbs (180 kg) in order to fuel their
sleepy bodies during the winter. Where food is plentiful and
weather extremes are not as severe, some grizzlies do not
hibernate at all.
Pregnant female grizzly bears usually give birth to a litter of
2 cubs, born between January and March, coinciding with winter
break up. When born, the cubs are tiny, weighing only 1 lb (450
gr) and are completely reliant on their mothers. These cubs
usually remain with their mother for two years and, depending on
ecological conditions, it may be an additional 3 years until she
mates again. The average grizzly has a lifespan of 15 - 25
years.
Grizzly Bears in Alaska are a sight to see. While most are
colored brown, they range from white to black and are even know
to have a “blue phase” when their fur appears to be a silvery
blue color.
Other pages with extensive details
on our website:
Gray Wolf,
Tufted Puffin,
Steller Sea Lions,
Bald Eagle,
Mountain Goats,
Orca or Killer
Whales,
The Red Squirrel,
Humpback Whale
and
Grizzly Bear or Alaskan Brown bear
Video: View videos of
Grizzly/Alaskan Brown Bears |
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