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The Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)
Native to North America, the grizzly bear is found throughout Canada and much of the western United States.These bears typically prefer secluded forests and mountainous terrain, both which provide opportunity for escape if need be, as well as protection from humans.
As omnivores, Grizzly bears maintain diets rich with a variety of food sources. They often eat nuts, berries, leaves, roots, and even Cutworm moths (Felita jaculifera). Rodents, and meso-predators are also on the menu for these apex predators. During spring, the bears tend to prey upon the calves of various ungulate species, as well as the adults.
Weighing in at an average of about 800-900 lbs (363-408 kg) U. a. horribilis is one of the largest species of bear on earth. These bears also reach a height of 5 to 8 ft (1.5 - 2.5 m). Grizzly bears have concave or dish-shaped faces, along with brownish wrinkled foot pads. Their claws are long and curved and they are used to dig dens or obtain roots and plant bulbs hidden deep in the ground. Grizzlies also have a distinctive shoulder hump consisting of muscle. This mass enables them to both dig and deliver a killing blow to their prey. U. a. horribilis also exhibits a variety of fur colors, including blondes, browns, and blacks.
At ~25 years, U. a. horribilis exhibits an impressive life span in the wild as a mainly solitary animal. With the exception of a mother grizzly and her young cubs, these bears congregate rather infrequently. Grizzly bears are usually most active during the morning and evening, but will increase activity throughout the day as the fall and winter months approach. This ensures that they receive the nourishment required in order to hibernate successfully. Hibernation refers to a state of inactivity and metabolic depression. This process is exclusive to endotherms, or organisms that heat themselves via internal processes rather than relying on outside sources of heat. These top predators often choose hillsides as ideal den locations during hibernation.
This subspecies of brown bear is currently listed as threatened due to habitat loss and poaching.
Helpful resources:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/grizzly-bear/
http://www.bear.org/website/bear-pages/brown-or-grizzly-bear/68-brown-grizzly-bear-facts.html
As omnivores, Grizzly bears maintain diets rich with a variety of food sources. They often eat nuts, berries, leaves, roots, and even Cutworm moths (Felita jaculifera). Rodents, and meso-predators are also on the menu for these apex predators. During spring, the bears tend to prey upon the calves of various ungulate species, as well as the adults.
Weighing in at an average of about 800-900 lbs (363-408 kg) U. a. horribilis is one of the largest species of bear on earth. These bears also reach a height of 5 to 8 ft (1.5 - 2.5 m). Grizzly bears have concave or dish-shaped faces, along with brownish wrinkled foot pads. Their claws are long and curved and they are used to dig dens or obtain roots and plant bulbs hidden deep in the ground. Grizzlies also have a distinctive shoulder hump consisting of muscle. This mass enables them to both dig and deliver a killing blow to their prey. U. a. horribilis also exhibits a variety of fur colors, including blondes, browns, and blacks.
At ~25 years, U. a. horribilis exhibits an impressive life span in the wild as a mainly solitary animal. With the exception of a mother grizzly and her young cubs, these bears congregate rather infrequently. Grizzly bears are usually most active during the morning and evening, but will increase activity throughout the day as the fall and winter months approach. This ensures that they receive the nourishment required in order to hibernate successfully. Hibernation refers to a state of inactivity and metabolic depression. This process is exclusive to endotherms, or organisms that heat themselves via internal processes rather than relying on outside sources of heat. These top predators often choose hillsides as ideal den locations during hibernation.
This subspecies of brown bear is currently listed as threatened due to habitat loss and poaching.
Helpful resources:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/grizzly-bear/
http://www.bear.org/website/bear-pages/brown-or-grizzly-bear/68-brown-grizzly-bear-facts.html
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