Hangin' with Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Bear Grabbing Tree, North America Photographic Print Wiley/wales, Amy...
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Grizzly bears have brown fur with grey grizzled tips, thus the reason they are named Grizzly Bear.

With the exception of a mother with her cubs, grizzly bears tend to be solitary animals. You might see several of them dining together at the same river when the salmon are swimming upstream or foraging wherever fruits or berries are abundant, but they are usually alone.

Although as much as 90% of what they eat is made up of fruits, nuts, berries, leaves, or roots, grizzly bears do have a carnivores digestive system and they do eat other animals. Grizzly bears tend to rule the forest. If they encounter another animal with it's "dinner" the other animal will leave the meal to the bear instead of risking it's own life. Unfortunately, most hunters either do not understand this "agreement" or they are not willing to give the bear their "trophy." This will result in the bear attacking the human even though a grizzly bear would normally avoid contact with people if at all possible.

Since a grizzly bear is territorial, he will return to the same place to eat. He will go back to the same stream each year for salmon or to the same field each season for berries or fruit. If he finds food at a campsite once, he will return again and again in search of additional meals. Unknowingly a camper may seal the fate of a cute little bear by intentionally leaving food for them. Since the cub will grow up and continue to return for nourishment, a forest ranger may be forced to put him down in order to protect unsuspecting campers.

Please DO NOT feed the bears!

Even if he is adorably beautiful!

Grizzly Bear Art Print
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Grizzly bears hibernate during the winter months. A mother bear will give birth during the winter, so it is not unusual to see a mother bear and her cubs out foraging for nuts or berries during the early spring. While the cubs are adorable and appear cuddly, it is best to stay far away from the mother and her babies. She will attack in order to protect her cubs. Remember, if she smells a human, she won't know that you just want to take a picture of her pretty fur baby, she will believe you want to take the cub. She will attack first and ask questions later.

A mother bear cares for her cubs for up to 2 years. Because of the males solitary lifestyle and a cubs long term dependence on their mothers, females only give birth every 3 - 4 years. This infrequency in childbirth contributes to their threatened status.

Evening Dip Art Print
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Moderated by Sylvestermouse
Updated: 3/3/12