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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.

Photo: Erik Mandre/Shutterstock

Family

There are eight species: American black bear, Asian black bear, brown bear, giant panda, polar bear, sloth bear, spectacled bear and sun bear.


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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.

Kodiak Bear - Photo: Warren Metcalf/Shutterstock

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.


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• 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.

Brown Bear Characteristics Brown Bear Characteristics - Photo: Giedriius/Shutterstock

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 Black Bear – What’s the Difference? Brown Bear or Black Bear – What’s the Difference? - Photo: Erik Mandre (brown bear), Dolores M. Harvey (black bear)/Shutterstock

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.

Brown Bear or Grizzly Bear – What’s the Difference? Brown Bear or Grizzly Bear – What’s the Difference? - Photo: Michele Aledghi (brown bear), WildMedia (Grizzly)/Shutterstock

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.

Grizzly Bear - Photo: Scott E Read/Shutterstock

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.

Brown Bear Cub Climbing Photo: Erik Mandre/Shutterstock

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.

Brown Bear on the Road Photo: Erik Mandre/Shutterstock

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.

The Brown Bear Is Related To:

Animals in the Same Biome:


Carnivore Species Fact Sheets


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