The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is one of America's iconic animals, but that hasn't allowed it to escape the fact that it's one of the continent's most endangered animals American. Grizzlies are close relatives of brown bears on the Eurasian continent, but distance and time have made them different in many ways.
There are several species of bears, but in this AnimalPlanet sheet, we will talk in depth about the grizzly bear, its characteristics, its habitat, its reproduction and much more. Happy reading!
Origin
- America
- Canada
- United States
Origin of the Grizzly
As we mentioned in the introduction, the grizzly bear is a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), native to Europe. After the retreat of the glaciers, more than 50,000 years ago, a passage was opened by which the brown bears were able to reach the north of the American continent.
Over time, grizzly bears separated from their close relatives, establishing this subspecies in North America, which remained in equilibrium until the disastrous arrival of European settlers, when populations grizzly bears have declined dramatically. Thus, over a period of 100 years, the grizzly would have lost approximately 98% of its territory!
Grizzly Bear Features
The size of the grizzly bear varies considerably depending on the region of North America from which it is native, although certain characteristics remain.For example, the bone structure of these bears is heavier than that of most bear species. Its four legs are about the same length, ending in long claws that can reach 8 centimeters in length, being larger than those of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus).
The weight of these animals varies according to region, sex, time of year and age. For example, adult bears on the Alaska Peninsula, which usually feed on salmon, are the heaviest, around 360 kilograms. While bears from a neighboring region, the Yukon, because they do not eat fish, weigh just over 150 kilos. Female grizzly bears from the Alaska Peninsula weigh around 230 kilograms, while those from the Yukon usually weigh no more than 100 kilograms. On the other hand, in late summer and fall, the grizzly gains weight, which it then loses during hibernation.
Grizzly Habitat
The grizzly bear lives in Alaska, Canada and the northwestern United States. In these regions, coniferous forests like pine and fir abound. Although its life is closely linked to the wood of these trees, the grizzly bear also needs grasslands, brush and riparian vegetation. The largest population of these bears is found in Alaska, where they find abundant food for their needs. Also, they have vast spaces to roam. These bears spend the day walking from place to place in search of food, so their territory must be very large.
Grizzly Bear Feeding
Like other bears, the grizzly is an omnivorous animal. In the Alaska Peninsula and the Yukon, salmon is its main food for year-round survival. Although he needs a lot of practice, he ends up being an excellent fisherman.
Grizzly bears also feed on fresh fruits and dried fruits offered by plants in the region.In many cases, dried fruits are essential to obtain the fat they will need during hibernation. They can also feed on grasses, leaves, bark, roots, and other plant parts. Although they look like slow animals, grizzlies are fast. Indeed, they can hunt adult elk and many other prey.
Reproduction of the grizzly bear
The grizzly mating season runs from May to July. During this period, males exhibit more aggressive behavior, being more protective with their territories and with passing females. When a male and female meet, they court each other, which involves hunting and playing together for several hours. After copulation, the two animals separate.
Female grizzly bears, like females of other bear species, can go into heat several times during the season and once copulation and fertilization have taken place, the egg will not implant in the uterus only several months later.
Pregnancy develops during the hibernation period, which takes place during the cold months and can last up to six months. When she is finished, the babies are born, one to two per litter. They will spend between two and four years with their mother until they become completely independent.
Grizzly Bear Pictures
