Grizzly Bear
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Carnivora
- Family: Ursidae
- Genus: Ursus
- Species: arctos
- Subspecies: horribilis
Common Names by Region:
- English: Grizzly Bear, North American Brown Bear
- Indigenous American: Ts’its’um, Kuyi, Son of the Sun, Great Bear, amongst others
- French: Grizzli
- Spanish: Oso Pardo Grizzly
Description: Describe the physical characteristics of Ursus arctos horribilis:
- Size: Large, typically weighing between 180 to 360 kg (400 to 800 lbs).
- Coloration: Varies from blond to nearly black, often with grizzled tips on the fur, giving a “grizzled” appearance.
- Head: Characterized by a prominent hump of muscle over the shoulders.
- Ears: Short, rounded ears.
- Claws: Long, curved claws adapted for digging and catching prey.
- Muzzle: Wide and blunt.
- Tail: Short, measuring around 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches).
Known Range: Discuss the natural habitat and geographical distribution of Ursus arctos horribilis:
- Primarily found in North America, ranging from Alaska and western Canada down through the Rocky Mountains into the northern United States.
- Habitat includes forests, alpine meadows, tundra, and coastal areas.
Diet: Explain the feeding habits and diet of Ursus arctos horribilis:
- Omnivorous, with a diet consisting of both plant matter and meat.
- Feeds on a variety of vegetation, including berries, nuts, roots, and grasses.
- Opportunistically preys on mammals like deer, elk, moose, and smaller mammals such as rodents.
- May scavenge on carrion.
Breeding and Lifecycle: Detail the reproductive behavior and lifecycle of Ursus arctos horribilis:
- Mating occurs during late spring or early summer.
- Gestation period lasts around 180 to 250 days.
- Female bears give birth to one to four cubs, typically in a den during the winter months.
- Cubs are born blind and helpless, weighing around 500 grams (1 lb).
- Cubs stay with their mother for about two to three years, during which time they learn essential survival skills.
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