BROWN BEARS
(Ursus Arctos "Bear Bear")
Click on images to inlarge.
Current population: Approximately 80,000
|
|
| Physical Information
|
Adult Male |
|
| Approximate Length: |
2.4 - 3 m (8 - 10 ft.) |
| Approximate Height at Shoulder: |
1.2 - 1.5 m (4 - 5 ft) |
| Average Weight: |
454 kg (1000 lbs) |
| Approximate Life Span in Wild: |
25 years |
Adult Female |
|
| Approximate Length: |
2 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft.) |
| Approximate Height at Shoulder: |
1 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft) |
| Average Weight: |
272 kg (600 lbs) |
| Approximate Life Span in Wild: |
25 years |
 |
Brown Bears currently live south of
the sub Arctic regions of the globe, in areas like Alaska and Siberia. Brown
Bears are the largest land based carnivore in the world with adult Brown Bears
reaching an average weight of 454 kg (1000 lbs) and the largest recorded weight
of 1272 kg (2800 lbs). Brown Bears live in a wide range of environments,
forested areas, rivers and streams but seem to like open areas, plains and
grass lands. Brown Bears are solitary animals except for a mother with cubs.
Cubs stay with their mothers for about 2.5 years and in that time they will
learn how to hunt and survive on their own. After which the mother will chase
off the cubs when she is ready to breed again in May or June. Male Brown Bears
have little to do with the cubs other than impregnating the female and will
often times kill the cubs to bring the female back into estrus. Female Brown
Bears though will fiercely protect the cubs even if it means her own life.
|
 |
 |
About 40% of Brown Bear cubs never
reach maturity but once a Brown Bear reaches maturity there is very little that
it has to worry about, other than humans or a larger bear. Current Brown Bear
population is estimated at 80,000 and is stable for now but the future of the
Brown Bear is questionable with the encroachment of man on their territory.
Mankind has already wiped out almost all the Brown Bears from the continental
US and much of Canada as well as all of Europe and much of Asia. Brown Bears
are tough and cope with their environments very well. They spend about half
their lives hibernating and the other half gorging themselves for the winter
hibernation. Brown Bears fur is thick (approximately 152 mm (6 in)) and varies
in color from black to almost pure white but is primarily brown. The Brown
Bears fur is comprised of 2 layers, the first layer is a coarse outer layer the
second is a silky under layer that is water repellent and helps to keep the
Brown Bear dry. Brown bears like the water and spend a great deal of time
swimming and fishing. Some Brown bears have been known to swim for over 96 km
(60 mi) nonstop.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
A Brown Bears eyesight and hearing is
about the same as human's but their olfactory system is about a hundred times
more sensitive than that of a human's. Their sense of smell is so acute that
they can locate their prey from kilometers (miles) away. They use their sense
of smell to locate food and mates during the breeding season. Brown Bears are
classified as carnivores and do hunt other animals but for the most part their
diet is comprised of plants like grasses and roots. Coastal Brown Bears though
enjoy the benefits of the annual salmon run which provides them with a rich
food source. This food source is why coastal Brown Bears tend to grow larger
than inland Brown Bears. A Brown Bear is very skillful at catching salmon and
can often catch more than he can eat, which for some bears means more than 80
salmon a day.
|
 |
 |
Brown Bears a highly intelligent and
they have an excellent memory. Brown Bears are very curious creatures who like
to explore their surroundings looking for food and sometimes toys to play with.
Brown Bears are capable of solving complex problems and will retain the
information that they gain from it and continue to learn and adapt throughout
their entire life. Most of the pictures on this web page were taking in Alaska,
US and British Columbia, Canada where the Brown Bears are still doing well
despite hunting and human encroachment. People in these areas are starting to
learn that the Brown Bears are more valuable as a tourist attraction than a
trophy which in most cases is better for the bears.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
