Let’ s continue our journey...
There are many species of bears and here are a few:
Polar bear
Brown bear
The brown bear is a very large and imposing animal that lives in North America, Europe and Asia. They are omnivores and grow to around 310kg at maturity. They feed on fish, fruit, nuts, leaves and roots. The female usually has two cubs every three years. The brown bear hibernates in the winter in burrows, which it digs into the hillside.
Grizzly bear
A native of the north polar ice cap, polar bears roam on ice sheets and swim in coastal waters. They have a thick coat of fur to protect them from the bitter cold. They are carnivores, usually feeding on seals but will feed on carcasses of dead whales. They are the largest of the bears, growing to around 400-700kg. The female has two cubs which she fiercely protects for up to 28 months.
The grizzly bear is a close relative of the brown bear. It is found now only in North America and is an endangered species. They are solitary animals but they congregate when salmon are swimming upstream to spawn. At this time dozens of bears gather to feed on the fish, which provides fat to sustain the bears through the long winter. The male adult grows to around 360kg and is an omnivore. Apart from salmon they feed on fruit, berries, leaves and small mammals. Grizzlies are typically brown although their fur has white tips, giving it the grizzled look. Grizzlies dig dens for winter hibernation. Females deliver their young, usually twins, in the den during the winter.
19