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BROWN BEAR FACT
Also known as: Alaskan Brown Bear, Asiatic Brown Bear, European Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear, Himalayian Snow Bear, Kodiak Bear, Admiralty Bear, Syrian Bear
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What’s a Brown Bear?
The Brown (or Grizzly) Bear is a giant animal, usually dark brown in color, though it can vary in shades from blonde, all the way to black. The Brown Bear is different from other bears by virtue of it’s shoulder hump, which is caused by muscles which are used for digging. Long claws on it’s front paws are useful for digging and holding prey. The long guard hairs over the shoulders are often tipped with white which, from a distance, gives a grizzled, or gray, appearance. We often think of a Brown Bear as cute and cuddly, but in reality he is a complex and fascinating animal deserving great respect.
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How big is a Brown Bear?
The size of Brown Bears depends greatly on the food sources available. Males can vary from 300 to 860 pounds, females from 205 to 455 pounds. The island Brown Bears of Alaska (Kodiak and Admiralty) are considered one of the largest land carnivores (meat eaters) in the world, and live on a diet of fish and other rich food. Their inland cousins are usually about 30% smaller.
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Where do they live?
The range of the Brown Bear is the widest of any bear species. In North America they are found in Western Canada, Alaska, and the states of Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Montana. At one time the Brown Bear could be found throughout the North American continent, however, excessive hunting and destruction of habitat have all but eliminated this majestic creature from some locations. Brown Bears can also be found in Europe, Japan, and northern Asia. They are very adaptable to their environment and can be found almost anywhere; forests, plains, mountains, and tundra. Brown Bears, like most other bears, are primarily solitary and territorial. The exception, of course, is during mating season or females with cubs. They rarely attack other bears who stray into their territory.
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What do they eat?
They are omnivorous, which means they will eat almost anything. Most of their diet will consist of plant matter such as sedges, grasses, bulbs, berries, and roots. They will also eat insects, fish, and small mammals. Some will even go so far as to attack large animals, including moose, caribou, and elk.
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What about cubs?
1 to 4 Cubs are born during winter hibernation of the female. Brown Bears reach sexual maturity from 4 1/2 to 7 years, however some males do not become successful breeders until they are 8-10 years old due to competition from older, stronger males. The cubs usually weigh about a pound and will stay with the mother for about 3 1/2 years, meaning that the female will only breed about once every 3 years.
What's hibernation?
Bears will hibernate when food is scarce and the temperature is too cold. They can sleep for months without eating, drinking, or urinating. During hibernation their heartbeat drops from 40 to 70 beats per minute to only 10 to 12 beats per minute. They will usually make a den in a cave or under a fallen tree and cover themselves with leaves and other brush. Mother bears will awaken to give birth, typically in mid to late January, and take excellent care of the cubs in the den. Some bears in warmer climates where food is available all year round will not hibernate at all.
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How long do they live?
Brown Bears can live 20-25 years in the wild, however very few adult bears outside of national parks, die of natural causes. Brown Bears are at the top of their food chain and have little to fear from other animals. Mountain lions, other bears, and wolves will sometimes prey on cubs, but the primary threat to the Brown Bear is human. Most are shot, some are hit by vehicles. The average age of death in hunted populations is 3 to 5 years. |
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