Grizzly, Black and Brown Bears
The majority of bear species live within America, Canada and Alaska but, they are not necessarily exclusive to the Americas because they are also found in other countries.
However, with that being said we will concentrate on the bears that live within our own country and have a close look at the 3 prime species – their eating habits, and their natural habitat and you may be surprised to learn that the grizzly bear is a species of brown bear.
The bears we are the most familiar with belong to the family – Ursidae, with the genus/species Ursus.
- The American black bear is species Ursus americanus
- The brown bear is species Ursus arctos
- The grizzly bear is species Ursus arctos horribilus
- The brown bear that inhabits Alaska, known as the Kodiak Bear is species Ursus arctos middendorffi
- The polar bear is species Ursus maritimus
The American black bear (that are not necessarily black) the most prolific bear is considered primarily to be a vegetarian but, 25% of its diet can include fish and small marine animals, ants and other known insects, honey and the carcasses of small animals – mainly elk and moose calves and a variety of other smaller mammals. This essentially would class these bears as omnivores.
Their natural habitat that supplies their dietary requirements is hardwood and coniferous forest areas. Their habitat can be connected by small corridors to larger forested areas. A large male can have a home range area exceeding 100 square kilometres. These bears are well equipped with long claws to enable them to climb trees to eat berries, flowers and nuts. The black bear can be commercially traded and it has been deemed that even though they are allowed to be traded, their commercial availability would not impact on the species as a whole per se.
The brown bear’s diet is very similar to that of a black bear. They too are omnivores and eat grasses, roots, nuts, berries, flowers and herbs. And the carnivorous part of their diet that is also estimated to be approx. 25%, depending on the availability, and can include small calves, squirrels and again, other smaller mammals, honey, insects and salmon.
Their preferred habitat ranges from large river valleys, open meadows and mountain forests. The brown bear is listed as a commercially available species also, but the authorities have to ensure that the species is self-sustainable where numbers are concerned.
The grizzly bear’s diet is also considered omnivorous; however, grizzly bears have to consume a large amount of food during summer and the fall to build up fat reserves for its winter hibernation. This bear has a variety of habitats ranging from dense forests, open sub-alpine meadows, the arctic tundra and mountainous river streams is a favourite place for them to catch salmon. It is also known that these bears can and do fall caribou, elk and moose, as well as fish for salmon.
These bears, once grown and independent, live solitary lives. The grizzly bear was once deemed common in America – however, human impact on their environment has caused the remaining brown bear population to move to more inaccessible mountains and remote forests and rugged terrain - terrain not frequented by humans, so they are undisturbed and can live in a natural environment.
The biggest threat to the mortality of the grizzly bear is “humans.” With humans comes habitat degradation and destruction and illegal poaching is still an issue.
The government has legislated that grizzly bears are an endangered species within the US, so it is imperative that we ensure the eco-system and habitat conservation remains intact for their very survival.- in the wild.
The grizzly bears within Yellowstone National Park have been protected to the point that that specific group of bears are now deemed “unthreatened” – isn’t that amazing! And, as long as there are people who care about the bears, any bear, they will survive.
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