4 Amazing Brown Bear Facts
- The brown bear is the most widely distributed bear on the globe
- A group of brown bears is called a sloth or sleuth
- Before hibernation, the brown bear can eat up to 90 pounds of food a day
- It appears that brown bears have individual personalities and are extremely intelligent
You can check out more incredible facts about brown bears.
Scientific Name
The brown bear has the name of Ursus arctos and is a type of mammal. The name Ursus is derived from the Latin, which means “bear.” Both “ursus” and “arctos” mean bear, with “arctos” being the Greek term for this animal.
The term “Grizzly Bear” is called Ursus arctos horribilis. It is a subspecies of the brown bear and was named because the bear was somehow interpreted as “grisly or horrible” instead of the term for the coat being grizzled with streaks of gray.
Evolution
Brown bears evolved from Ursus etruscus in Asia 800,000 years ago. Genetic analysis indicates they diverged from the cave bear complex 1.2-1.4 million years ago. Fossils of this species are found in China from 0.5 million years ago. It spread to Europe and North Africa 250,000 and Alaska 100,000 years ago before moving south 13,000 years ago when giant short-faced bears (Arctodus simus) went extinct.
Paleontologists suggest two migrations of brown bears: inland grizzlies from northern Siberia to central Alaska and Kodiak bears from Kamchatka to the Alaskan peninsula. Fossils in Labrador, Ohio, Kentucky, and Ontario show they once extended eastward.
Appearance and Behavior
Brown bears are extremely large animals. Brown bears can grow to be five to eight feet tall and weigh approximately 700 pounds. This means that the brown bear weight is about 75 percent as heavy as an Arabian horse, which weighs 930 pounds. Though some can be even larger. An Alaskan brown bear can weigh as much as 1500 pounds.
In the spring, after hibernation, a brown bear may weigh much less. To make up for this, the bear may eat as much as 90 pounds of food per day to gain weight for the coming winter and its hibernation.
They tend to be solitary animals; females and their brown bear cubs gather together and, at times, are known to congregate, especially at Alaska fishing spots. A group of bears is called a sloth or sleuth, but brown bears mostly live alone.
In winter, brown bears are animals that dig dens for hibernation, which are often found on hillsides.
Brown bears are very fast and are known to reach speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, as much as 30% faster than the top speed of the fastest human, Usain Bolt. If they are surprised or if a human gets between a mother and cubs, they can be dangerous. The brown bear is also known to be an exceptional swimmer.
Habitat
Brown bears live in the forests and mountains of the northern parts of North America, Asia, and Europe. In Europe, they are found mostly in the woodlands of the mountains. Siberian brown bears prefer the forests, while in North America, they call the alpine meadows and coastlines home. Wherever they are, the brown bear prefers a habitat that has dense cover where they can feel safe and secure.
Diet
Brown bears are omnivores. They are also top-of-the-food-chain predators. They eat other animals, such as rodents or moose. A large portion of their diet, however, consists of nuts, berries, fruit, leaves, and roots.
They also enjoy fishing for salmon and crave the fats that can take them through the long winter of hibernation. Before it hibernates, the brown bear has been known to eat as much as 90 pounds of food per day.
Predators and Threats
As one of the largest omnivores, the brown bear today does not have to worry about being eaten. They must worry about other brown bears. However, there are also other threats.
In the past, brown bears were threatened by big game hunters as trophies, and their hides and meats were used.
Poaching can be a problem. In Asia, some think that the bear gall bladder has medical benefits, although there is no evidence that this is true.
Logging, mining, and deforestation, as well as the destruction of habitat, threaten the brown bear population. The human-and-bear conflict has been an issue, as bears can interfere with roaming livestock, water supplies, fruit orchards, and trash bins.
Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan
Males may fight over females when mating and will guard the female for one to three weeks. They mate from May to July. Females go into the den while pregnant, then give birth during the winter rest, and usually have a pair of cubs. The brown bear cubs will nurse on their mother’s milk until spring and then stay with her for more than two years.
Female bears only reproduce once in three years, as they are busy with their young cubs until the little cubs are on their own. Cubs are born blind and naked but are soon on their way to growth. By 6 months, the brown bear’s weight can be 55 pounds. In the wild, brown bears can live as long as 20 to 30 years.
