 |
|
 |
 |
Region: Europe, Northern Asia and North America Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ursus Scientific Name: Ursus arctos horribilis
 |
Description:
Length: 2.6 m height to shoulder: 1.3 m, weight: 136 - 526 kg. Cubs weight at birth: 340 to 680 gms. There are five digits on each foot, broad soles. The claws are nonretractable, 7.6 cm long. The foot remains in contact with the ground as they walk; neither wrist nor ankle is raised above ground.
|
Distribution:
Scandinavia to Balkans, scattered populations in France, Italy and Spain; Russia; Asia, north of Himalayas; Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, and British Columbia; mountainous areas of W. U.S.A.
|
Habitat:
Coniferous forest: fir, cedar, spruce, hemlock and pine. Prefers high altitude alpine wilderness. Spring: usually on remote snow-free southwest slopes. Summer: Subalpine feeding areas. Favourite foraging areas are the alpine meadows and rocky slopes above 2,000 m.
|
Food:
Omnivorous. Grizzly bears are opportunistic feeders. A wide variety of vegetation, grubs, honey, eggs, birds, dead and decayed fish, amphibians, insects, reptiles, mice, ground squirrels, badgers, pika, marmots, wapiti, moose, deer, black bear, wolf pups, mountain sheep and goats. Grizzly bears can eat 40.9 kg per day.
|
Reproduction and Development:
Both the males and females are polygamous, having several mates. They mate from late May to early July in specific areas, usually on isolated ridges. Females are sexually mature by 3 to 6 years, males at 6 to 7 years. Females breed every 2 or 3 years and produce litters of 1 to 4 young after a gestation period of 6 to 8 months. Delayed implantation (the fertilized egg does not implant and grow immediately) occurs in bears. Possible reasons are short food supply and weather conditions.
Cubs are born between mid-January and early March while the female is in dormancy. This allows for the longest possible time period for the cubs to grow before facing next winter’s harsh conditions. Cubs are born blind, toothless, and almost hairless. They are about 20 cm long and weigh from 450 to 700 grams. Their eyes open at about 6 weeks and they grow very rapidly (15 kg at 3 months and 25 kg at 6 month). The female will often sit up to nurse the cubs. She has 9 mammae. Cubs are weaned at 4 to 5 months. Nursing females command a territorial range of up to several hundred meters. Mature males tend to be hostile toward cubs, so mothers try to avoid them by frequenting rougher terrain and higher elevation. Female grizzly bears carry their cubs by holding the whole head in their mouth with the body dangling. The cubs stay close to her during the first summer, learning essential survival skills. In all the cubs spend about two years with their mother. They may even den with her in their second winter while she is pregnant with her next litter. Life span in the wild is 15 - 34 years, in captivity about 28 years.
|
Adaptations:
The stomach is large and simple. A well developed foregut is useful for food storage, digestion, and absorption. They have a short hindgut. This enables the bear to feast when the food is plentiful and go without when the food is scarce. Bears have a remarkable sense of balance; they can sit up and walk upright for a few paces. They have heavy teeth with flattened molars. They do not cut and tear as well as true carnivores. The food has to be chewed and crushed instead of being cut into pieces. The jaws are powerful. Mostly active in twilight or early morning, but feeds during the day when food is scarce. Sleeps in beds of alder thickets or on high alpine slopes.
|
Threats to Survival:
Habitat loss to ranching and logging, hunting, body parts for folk medicine.
|
Status:
Threatened
|
Zoo Diet:
Zoo carnivore mix, horse necks (bones), salmon, oranges, romaine lettuce, celery, carrots, dog food
|
|
|
 |
Store
Animal Fact Sheet
The New Tundra Trek