Brown Bear
Brown Bear Facts
Size | 27-60 inches (100-280 cm) (shoulder height) |
Speed | 31 mph (55 km/h) |
Weight | 176-705 pounds (80-320 kg) |
Lifespan | 20-30 years |
Food | Grass, herbs, roots, berries, salmon, lemmings, birds, rodents |
Predators | Fleas, ticks, worms |
Habitat | North America, Europe, Russia, Asia |
Order | Carnivore |
Family | Bears |
Scientific name | Ursus arctos |
Characteristics | Largest predator on land, big paws, hump on back |
Main Characteristics
Brown bears are large and heavy predators. Their most striking features are their strong build, large paws, round ears, long nose and their big hump on their shoulders.
Family
There are eight species: American black bear, Asian black bear, brown bear, giant panda, polar bear, sloth bear, spectacled bear and sun bear.
Subspecies
There are 12 subspecies of brown bear. The most well-known is the North American grizzly bear. It’s stronger and heavier than the European brown bear. Another subspecies is the Kodiak bear. It is considered the largest and heaviest in the world - along with the polar bear.
Distribution and Habitat
Brown bears primarily live in Russia, Canada, Alaska, Europe and Asia.
Europe
• Carpathians
In Europe, most brown bears live in the Carpathians - a mountain range that stretches from the Czech Republic to Romania. Over 8,000 of around 15,400 animals are at home here. They also live in other European countries like Sweden, Norway and Finland.
• Germany
There are no wild bears permanently living in Germany. In 2006, the famous “problem bear“ named “Bruno” wandered into Germany via Italy and was shot. In recent years, about 12 animals have been spotted roaming the districts of Berchtesgadener Land, Traunstein and Rosenheim as well as in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bad Tölz and Wolfratshausen.
• Austria
There are less than 40 brown bears in Austria. However, they're actually native to Italy and Slovenia and enter Austria only because they happen to be roaming through a forest close to the border.
Habitat
Brown bears prefer semi-open landscapes such as tundras, prairies, coasts and mountains.
Life Style
Brown bears are solitary animals that are most active at twilight and night. They don't defend their territory against their fellow species. Since they don't find enough food in winter, they build up a big belly in autumn and then go into hibernation until spring.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Brown bears have a body length of 40-110 inches (100-280 cm). Their shoulder height is 27-60 inches (70-150 cm). While standing upright, they are significantly larger. When erected, their height is 94 inches (240 cm). They weigh 176-705 pounds (80-320 kg) - depending on the area and subspecies. Particularly large males can weigh up to 1,720 pounds (780 kg).
Head
Brown bears have a large head, a long nose, round ears and small eyes.
Paws
Brown bears have large paws. They measure 8-14 inches (21-36 cm) in length. Their claws are curved and are up to 3 inches (8 cm) long.
Fur
Typically, the fur of brown bears is brown. However, it can also be yellow-brown, gray-brown or even black. Grizzly bears got their name from their coloration, as their hair tips are white in color. It makes them appear more gray.
Hump
Unlike other bears, brown bears have a noticeable hump on their shoulders. It is made of muscles and gives the front legs more strength when digging.
Brown Bear or Black Bear – What’s the Difference?
Brown bears and black bears are not always easy to tell apart. There are very dark brown bears and very light black bears. Nevertheless, they can be easily distinguished. The brown bear is much larger and heavier. It has smaller ears, a large neck hump and the adults almost never climb.
Brown Bear or Grizzly Bear – What’s the Difference?
The grizzly bear is a subspecies of the brown bear. It's actually quite easy to identify. The “normal” brown bear has a solid fur color. The tips of the grizzly's hair are white.
Diet
Brown bears are predators, but their diet isn't focused on meat. In fact, they mainly eat grasses, plants, roots, nuts, mushrooms and berries. Additionally, they hunt small insects, birds, small rodents and sick or weak moose, reindeer, deer and bucks. They only eat salmon in coastal regions. They're omnivores.
Locomotion
Brown bears move on all fours. Unlike most other animal species, they don't walk in a contralalteral gait (for example, left front and right back at the same time). Instead, they move the front and back legs on the same side of their body at the same time. Camels, giraffes and elephants do the same. This type of walking is called ambling.
Behavior
Are Brown Bears Dangerous?
Brown bears are calm, gentle and social animals. They prefer to stay away from people. However, their living space is becoming smaller and smaller as houses and roads are being built. They inevitably come across people while searching for food. This is especially a problem when a mother bear has cubs. If it senses a threat, it attacks immediately. The grizzly bear is considered to be particularly aggressive, which is why an encounter can be very dangerous.
What to Do If You See a Brown Bear
If you're out and about in the forest where brown bears live, it's best to make yourself noticed. Hikers usually wear a bear bell on their feet. The bears hear the noise from afar and steer clear. What is the best thing to do, when a bear is already very close? Here are some tips:
- 1. Don't approach any further - especially if you see young bears (their mother is never far away).
- 2. Keep calm.
- 3. Speak loudly and deeply.
- 4. Don't stare at the bear.
- 5. Don't throw stones or branches.
- 6. Don't run away.
- 7. Slowly retreat in the direction you came from.
- 8. If attacked, you should lie on the ground.
Hibernation
Do Brown Bears Hibernate?
Brown bears hardly find any food in winter. They need to save as much energy as possible and that's why they sleep a lot. However, they don't go into a true state of hibernation as they wake up from time to time.
Preparing for Winter
Brown bears eat a lot of food before winter. They gain about two pounds (1 kg) of body weight every day. During the cold winter months, they draw on their fat reserves. They also dig a cozy cave and line it with plants to keep themselves warm.
During Hibernation
Brown bears need to conserve as much energy as they can to survive. They lower their heart rate and reduce their respiratory rate. During hibernation, they live off their stored fat. By spring, they have lost 20-40% of their body weight.
Duration
Brown bears' hibernation begins between October and November and ends between March and May.
Senses and Abilities
Sense of Smell
The brown bear’s sense of smell is 100 times better than a human’s.
Sense of Hearing
Brown bears can hear very well.
Swimming
Brown bears are adept at swimming.
Speed
Brown bears are very heavy and large, but can run surprisingly fast. They reach speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h).
Climbing
Brown bears can climb, but the older they get, the heavier they are. Young animals are most often seen climbing. They are light in weight and make it easier to get up and down tree trunks.
Intelligence
Brown bears have a very good memory and easily recall the locations of food sources. They can even count - like primates!
Life Expectancy
In the wild, brown bears live to be 20-30 years old.
Enemies and Threats
Are Brown Bears Endangered?
The European brown bear and grizzly bear aren't (yet) considered endangered. However, some subspecies are already extinct, for example the Atlas bear, Californian and Mexican brown bears. The Himalayan brown bear is endangered.
Population
There are approximately 200,000 brown bears across the globe, with Russia being home to around 100,000, Alaska housing 33,000, Canada having 25,000, and Europe having 15,400.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Brown bears eat fruit and nuts that are excreted along with their feces. This way, they spread seeds all around the place, planting new plants and trees. Bears also keep nature in balance as they prey on sick and weak animals and even eat dead animals.
Reproduction
During the mating season between May and July, male brown bears fight for females. After mating, the fertilized egg doesn't develop immediately. It can rest for up to five months. The gestation period typically begins during hibernation. After six to eight weeks, two to three young animals are born. The babies are 23-28 cm long and weigh 340-680 g. They stay with their mother for 3-4 years and then go their own way.
Fun Facts
Despite their names, red panda bears and koala bears aren’t actually bears.