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ecoRidge | all galleries >> Endangered Species Mandalas >> Imperiled Species Mandalas >> Mammals > beargr3863_Grizzly Bear
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08-AUG-2011

beargr3863_Grizzly Bear

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Bear Family (Ursidae)
Grizzly Bear is a large brown (cream to black sometimes) bear with grayish (or grizzled) tips to its guard hairs on its back and shoulders, reaching 8 ft in length and 800 lbs. Has a distinctive hump on it shoulders, which black bears do not possess. The long claws are about the length of human fingers. Has an excellent sense of smell; can smell food miles away. A male can be about twice the size of a female. Breeding season lasts from early May through mid July, but the fertilized eggs (typically 2) do not implant until fall. Cubs are born during the winter and remain in the den until spring. The cubs remain with its mother for 2-4 years. Life span can be 25+ years in the wild. Usually digs a den for hibernation during the winter, commonly on a north-facing slope. An omnivore, it consumes nuts, berries, fruit, leaves, roots, insects, mammals (rodents to moose), and fish. May scavenge as well. Can live off fat reserves for several months. Can sprint up to 30 mph. At one time, was found in much of the western North America and Great Plains. Now mostly found in Canada and Alaska and the extreme northern western states. Found in dense forests to subalpine meadows and arctic tundra. Only about 1000-1500 grizzlies remain in the continental US. Solitary most of the time, except for breeding, mothers and their cubs, and congregations in areas super-abundant food supply like when salmon are spawning. Coastal bears along the coast of Alaska and Canada are referred to as brown bears, while inland bears and bear found in the lower 48 are called grizzly bears. Also known as silvertip bear, the grizzly, or the North American brown bear.

Listed as endangered in CO &, WA; threatened federally & in ID & MT; species of special concern in Canada & AZ; and extripated in AZ, CA, CO, KS, MN, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, & UT.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18
1/200s f/3.6 at 15.1mm iso160 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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