Grizzly bears are large, omnivorous predators found across western North America and Alaska. They can be identified by their hump shoulders and concave snout. Historically numbering over 50,000, only around 30,000 grizzly bears remain today, living solitary lives except to breed and rear cubs. Grizzly bears eat a variety of vegetation and animals depending on seasonal availability, and hibernate for 5-8 months each winter.

1. Grizzly Bear’s
By: John Petersen

2. Description
• The grizzly bear is a large predator that is
different from black bears due to a distinctive
hump on its shoulders.
• Grizzly bears have concave faces and long
claws about the length of a human finger.
• Their coloration is usually darkish brown but
can vary from very light cream to black.

3. Diet
• Grizzly bears are omnivorous and will eat
both vegetation and animals. Grasses,
sedges, roots, berries, insects, fish, carrion
and small and large mammals.
• In some areas grizzly bears eat moose,
caribou and elk, in others they eat salmon.
• Grizzly bear diet varies depending on what
foods are available in that particular season.

4. Population
• Historically, there were around 50,000 grizzly
bears in North America.
• Today, there are 1,000 - 1,200 grizzly bears
remaining in five separate populations in the
lower 48 states.
• In Alaska, there are thought to be over
30,000 grizzly bears.

5. Range
• Grizzly bears are found in a variety of
habitats, from dense forests, to subalpine
meadows and arctic tundra.
• In North America, grizzly bears are found in
western Canada, Alaska, Wyoming, Montana,
Idaho, and Washington.
• Historically, they could be found from Alaska
to Mexico, California to Ohio.

6. Behavior
• Bears live solitary lives except during breeding, cub
rearing, and in areas with a super-abundant food supply
such as salmon streams.
• Grizzly bears hibernate during the winter for 5-8 months,
and usually dig their dens on north-facing slopes to ensure
good snow cover.
• Grizzly bears need to eat a lot in the summer and fall in
order to build up sufficient fat reserves for surviving the
denning period.
• This is particularly true for pregnant females who give
birth to one pound cubs and then nurse them to about 20
pounds before emerging from the den in April-May.

7. Reproduction
• Mating Season: Early May through mid-July
• Gestation: Anywhere from 180-270 days,
including delayed implantation.
• Litter Size: 1-3 cubs
The young are born in January or February
while the mothers are hibernating in a den.
Cubs will remain with their mothers for at
least 2 - 4 years.