Bears are the largest among predatory animals. For example, an adult lion can weigh about 230 kilograms, a tiger - 270 kilograms, but the weight of a large polar bear and grizzly bear reaches 450 kilograms. And yet the largest bear in the world is rightfully called the Alaskan brown bear. The weight of some males of this species was more than 680 kilograms with a height of about three meters. I wouldn't want to meet such a giant somewhere on the trail. But these are average figures, but in real life There are specimens of bears whose parameters are much higher than those above. There is still a debate among people about which bears are the biggest, this is expressed in hunting stories and legends.
The Guinness Book of Records calls the most big bear on the planet of the white polar bear. Average weight these predators are in the range of 400-600 kg, length - 240-260 cm, height 1.6 m. The largest polar bear, which was measured, weighed 1002 kg according to one version, 900 kg according to another. The length of this polar bear was 3.5 m. The polar bear's menu includes mainly walruses and seals. Full physical fitness A male polar bear gains weight at the age of 9-10 years.
Among Alaskan brown bears there are most interesting subspecies, which scientists call Kodiak. So, among these Kodiaks, the heaviest bear measured was a giant, whose weight was 1134 kg. If he stood on his hind legs, then his height would be 4 m. Kodiaks are distinguished by long strong limbs, a muscular body and a massive head. These bears live alone and sleep in the winter, just like brown bears. The Kodiak diet includes fish and a variety of plant foods in the form of nuts, roots, berries and grass. Kodiaks very rarely hunt other species of animals. The Kodiak is not afraid of water, so it usually settles along the river bank. Such bears live on south coast Alaska. There is even an island called Kodiak.
The closest relatives of Kodiak bears are grizzly bears, which also reach huge size. Currently, the Kodiak population is constantly increasing. Most of them live in Kodiak National Nature Reserve which is protected by law.
Among fossil animals, bears were also large predators. According to scientists, the largest of them is called the prehistoric South American short-nosed bear. His height was 3.4 m, weight - 1.6 tons. The bones of this giant were found in 1935 in Argentina at the La Plata construction site. According to scientists, this bear was the most large predator on the planet about 2 million years ago. The weight of individual representatives of this species, according to scientists, could reach up to 2 tons.
Recently, a giant man-eating bear was shot and killed by a US Forest Service employee in Alaska. A special commission, after measuring the parameters of the killed bear, found that the prey turned out to be the largest grizzly bear in the world. Such a bear could stand on its hind legs and look at the second floor window. His weight was 726 kg, and his height on his hind legs was 4.3 m.
That's how they are big bears in the world, cute and menacing, cute and scary, in a word prominent representatives animal world.
The grizzly bear is a large and ferocious predator of our planet. Is a relative of the brown common bear, but differs from it in its physiological characteristics. Today the species is in the Red Book, since there are few forests left in which it can live.
Appearance of a grizzly bear
The grizzly bear is heavier, stronger and larger in comparison with its brown relative. On average, the weight of the muscular body of a grizzly bear ranges from 500 kg, females are smaller - 350 kg. The height reaches 3 meters if the male stands on hind legs. The body is covered with fluffy dark brown and long wool, which has a lighter shade at the ends.
The American bear differs from the European bear not only in its height, but also in its short skull, small ears, convex nasal bones, and wide flat forehead. TO main feature grizzly bears have claws of an amazing length of 10-13 cm. They are slightly tapered at the ends and strongly curved. The bear climbs trees only in at a young age, over the years, such loads become beyond his strength. Grizzlies are very clumsy, swaying and swaying when moving. Small eyes have poor vision, but hearing and smell work perfectly.
Places of residence
Grizzly bears live in mountain valleys and forested areas in western Canada, British Columbia, and Alaska. Since grizzlies are listed in the Red Book, they usually live in nature reserves: Glacier Park, Yellowstone natural complex(where it is a symbol), Mount McKinley.
In the old days, serious destruction of grizzly bears began, which significantly affected their numbers. The surviving populations after the mass shooting moved away from people. IN natural environment It's not easy to see a bear.
Grizzly bear nutrition
Grizzlies are not picky eaters - they are omnivores. They mainly feed on food of plant origin: roots, nuts, fruits and berries, acorns, young shoots of plants. Small game is present in the diet in small quantities. Grizzly bears are extremely fond of fish and are skilled at catching them - on the fly, pressing them with their paws or lowering their muzzle into the river. They swim well, not afraid of stormy currents. Large animals are hunted less often if they live in areas with poor vegetation. The lack of protein in the body is compensated by eating carrion, insects, and rodents. Carrion can be smelled at a distance of up to 30 km.
Lifestyle
The fearless bear tears apart potential prey with its teeth and claws in seconds. Easily handles livestock and bison. People are not included in the predator's diet. But, if a bear senses danger or confuses a person with an animal, it pounces without thinking. A wounded grizzly becomes ferocious and rushes even at armed people.
Despite their clumsiness, grizzlies can run at speeds of up to 60 km per hour. They prefer a solitary lifestyle, trying not to contact each other.
In winter they hibernate, but their sleep is not deep. They select small hills from which they form a den, covering them with snow. During the thaw period, they leave their homes in search of food. With the onset of the next frost, they again hibernate until warmer weather arrives.
Reproduction
The mating season occurs at the beginning of May and lasts until mid-July. The male and female spend several days together and then separate. Fertilization does not always occur immediately, sometimes after a certain period of time, depending on favorable conditions. Pregnancy lasts from 180 to 270 days. In the middle of winter, offspring (1-3 cubs) are born, from which the mother does not leave for the first time. They are born without fur, teeth, and look completely helpless.
With the beginning mating season A mother bear with children does not allow males to approach. They are dangerous for her babies. For 2 years, the cubs live with their mother and then leave her. Grizzlies in the wild live up to 30 years; in nature reserves, life expectancy doubles.
A bear is one of the animals that you would hardly want to meet one on one. Its dimensions inspire genuine fear. Surprisingly, at birth some bears weigh less than 200 grams, and this inevitably raises the question of how much an adult bear weighs. It all depends on its type and individual characteristics. The most famous bears are: brown, black, white. Since our country is inhabited Brown bear, let's look at it in more detail.
Distribution area
Previously, the brown bear was found throughout almost all of Europe, including Ireland and England. Southern border The area was the African Atlas Mountains, and in the east bears were found even in the territory of modern Japan. It most likely entered North America approximately 40 thousand years ago. Then he settled in territories from Alaska to northern borders Mexico. Today, the brown bear is widespread in Finland (in this country it was even declared the national animal) and Scandinavia, and is less common in the center of Europe and the Carpathians. In addition, it also lives in Iranian and Iraqi forests, northern China, Palestine, the Korean Peninsula and Japanese island Hokkaido. IN North America The brown bear is called the “grizzly” and is more often found in western Canada and Alaska. In Russia, the brown bear lives in almost all forests of the country, except for the southern regions.
Appearance
The animal is strong, with distinct withers on the back. The body cover is thick. The coat color is uniform. As a rule, bears shed their coats in the spring, and their coats are renewed in the fall. The ears are small, the eyes are set deep. The tail is practically invisible under the fur and is only 2 cm long. The paws are quite strong, with curved claws (their length can reach 10 cm).
Weight of a brown bear and its dimensions
The average body length of a brown bear is 1-2 meters. recorded in Kamchatka, the Far East and Alaska. These are real giants: their height in a standing position reaches three meters. In addition to height, many are interested in how much a bear weighs. Body weight depends on the sex and age of the animal. As a rule, the male is larger than the female. The weight of an adult bear (male) is 140-400 kg. But among them there are giant individuals weighing up to 600 kg. The female weighs on average 90-210 kg. A bear with a record body weight was discovered on Kodiak Island. His weight was 1134 kg and his height was about 4 meters. Many people are interested in how much someone living in Russia weighs? In our country there are smaller individuals, their body weight on average is 100 kg. How much does a grizzly bear weigh that lives in America? The grizzly bear is a subspecies of the brown bear; its body weight can reach 500 kg. Individual individuals can weigh 700 kg.
Lifespan
How much does a bear weigh and how long does it live - these are probably the most frequently asked questions. Note that the animal directly depends on its habitat. IN wildlife he can live 20-35 years. If an animal is kept in a zoo or nature reserve, then it lives twice as long - about 50 years, or even more. Puberty occurs at 6-11 years of age.
Behavior
The brown bear has a developed sense of smell. He can smell meat well even from a great distance. The bear has perfectly developed hearing. He often stands on his hind legs to catch the direction of the flow of smell or listen to a sound that interests him. In the forest he behaves like a real owner: he walks around his property in the early morning or after dusk. IN bad weather can wander through the forests for hours in search of food.
Lifestyle and nutritional habits
The brown bear is considered a forest animal. In Russia it favorite places are thick forested areas with bushes and deciduous trees. Can enter the territory of the tundra and alpine forests. In Europe it often lives in the mountains, and in North America favorite places habitats - alpine meadows, tundra and coast. The male usually lives alone, and the female with cubs. Each individual occupies a certain territory from 70 to 400 km, while the male requires 7 times big square than the female. Of course, this does not depend on how much the bear weighs. It’s just that a female more often lives with cubs, and it is more difficult for her to travel long distances than for a single male. Bears mark the boundaries of their territory with urine and scratches on trees.
Animals are omnivores. The diet consists of 75% plant food- these are berries, tubers, grass stems, nuts, roots and acorns. In lean years they can feed on corn and oat fields. The clubfoot's diet may consist of ants, worms, and small rodents (mice, chipmunks, gophers). Although a bear is not a 100% predator, it can kill an elk or a roe deer. There are frequent cases when a grizzly bear attacked wolves, and in the territory Far East bears sometimes hunt tigers. Honey is considered the favorite delicacy of this animal (that’s why it was called that). Fish is a seasonal object of hunting. At the beginning of spawning, when there are still few fish, the bear eats the entire carcass, but when there is a lot of it, it eats only the fat-rich parts (head, milt and caviar). In hungry years, a bear can hunt domestic animals and often visits apiaries, ruining them.
Brown bear activity occurs in the morning and evening hours. Lifestyle is seasonal. When it gets cold, the bear builds up a subcutaneous layer of fat and lies down in a den to hibernate. At the same time, the average weight of a bear increases by 20%. A den is a dry place under windbreaks or uprooted tree rhizomes. On average, winter sleep lasts about 70-190 days and depends on the climate (October-March, November-April). It turns out that the clubfoot hibernates for about six months. Female bears spend the longest time in hibernation, while older males spend the longest hibernation. It is also interesting to know how much a brown bear weighs after winter sleep. During this time they can lose about 80 kg of weight. If a bear has not managed to accumulate a sufficient amount of fat over the summer and autumn, in winter it awakens and begins to wander through the forest in search of food. Such bears are usually called connecting rods. The connecting rods are dangerous and hungry, so they attack everyone, even humans. Most often, they rarely survive until the end of winter: they die from frost, severe hunger, or from a hunter’s bullet.
Despite the fact that the brown bear's weight is impressive and it looks somewhat clumsy, it runs quite fast, swims well and climbs trees well. The paw strike is so powerful that it can break the back of a large bison or bull.
Reproduction
The female bears offspring once every 2-4 years. Estrus occurs at the end of spring - beginning of summer, lasting only 2-4 weeks. During the breeding season, males often fight among themselves, sometimes with fatal. occurs with several males, the pregnancy is latent, and embryo development will begin only in November. Pregnancy lasts from 6 to 8 months, the birth itself occurs at the place of hibernation - in the den. There are up to 5 cubs in one litter. I wonder how much a bear weighs at birth if it later reaches that size? Cubs weigh 340-680 grams at birth, their length is 25 cm. They are born completely blind and deaf, hairline almost absent. Hearing appears only 14 days after birth, and they become sighted after a month. By 3 months they have baby teeth and can eat berries. The mother bear feeds the cubs with milk for up to 30 months. As a rule, the father does not take part in raising the offspring; on the contrary, he may eat the bear cub because he sees it as a potential rival. Cubs begin to live independently without their mother at about 3-4 years of age.
Security
The brown bear is listed in the Red Book. This animal is vulnerable due to the high mortality rate of young animals and slow reproduction. But in Lately the population is growing. According to some data, there are about 200 thousand individuals in the world, 120,000 of which live in Russia, 14,000 in Europe, 32,500 in the USA ( most of in Alaska), 21,500 in Canada. Bear hunting in many countries is limited or completely prohibited.
Grizzly (from the English Grizzly bear - gray bear) is the name of one or more American subspecies of brown bear.
Translated from Latin language The name of this bear, Horribilis, means "terrible" or "fierce".
Grizzly bear habitat
As a rule, the gray grizzly chooses to live in harsh, inaccessible places where it is not disturbed by human proximity. Alaska and northern Canada are the primary habitat for 98% of these mammals.
Small populations live on northern territory USA. The Rocky and Cascade Mountains also sometimes become their refuge.
By the beginning of the last century, the number of this type of bear was about 100 thousand individuals. The reason for the sharp decline in the population was excessive aggressiveness.
Appearance of a grizzly bear
The fur of a grizzly bear is slightly lighter than that of other representatives of the “brown” bear species. Distinctive feature can be called significantly big sizes. Body length adult The grizzly bear reaches from 220 to 280 centimeters and weighs about 500 kilograms. According to research by scientists, there were grizzly bears with a body up to four meters long!
The grizzly bear has very strong and strong jaws and powerful claws, which makes it a very dangerous predator.
The coat has a special color: the hairs on the neck, abdominal part and shoulders are dark brown, and at the ends they are colored in a light tone. From a distance it seems that the bear is gray.
Grizzly bear lifestyle
A characteristic character trait gray bear is his fearlessness. The combination of this trait with enormous strength makes it almost impossible for his enemies to win.
The victim will be torn apart in a matter of minutes by strong teeth and powerful claws. The animal can easily cope with a wild bison, but livestock is simply panic fear in front of him.
A bear does not feel any fear in front of a person and can kill him with one blow. The ferocious animal also attacks armed people, especially if it is wounded.
Attacks on humans are quite rare, but escape is almost impossible. The animal can reach speeds of up to 60 km per hour and is an excellent swimmer. Sometimes the animal prefers to hide as soon as it senses a person.
The grizzly prefers loneliness and tries not to contact its relatives. The most frequent conflicts between representatives of these animals are observed during the mating season.
Hibernation is common for grizzlies. A small hill is selected for lying down. Once covered with snow, it is turned into a den. The animal does not fall into deep sleep; rather, this state is a light drowsiness.
When a thaw occurs, the animal leaves its home and looks for food. When frost returns, it comes back and falls asleep again before the onset of warmer times. It has been estimated that bears sleep for half of their lives.
Grizzly bear nutrition
After the end of hibernation, the bear begins to intensively search for food. These representatives of the order of predators are omnivores. Grizzlies prefer plant foods.
Their main food: young shoots, nuts, berries, tree fruits, algae and roots. Bird eggs, insects and their larvae, as well as reptiles are used as delicacies. In just one day, a grizzly bear can absorb up to 40 thousand butterflies.
Carrion is also grizzly bear food. The animal can smell its scent at a distance of 30 km. A deer killed by a bear provides it with food for a week. However, the animal prefers to hunt sick, weak or young animals.
Fish is a delicacy for grizzlies. During the salmon spawning period, bears gather in groups on the shore and distribute fishing zones among themselves. They catch fish with their mouths or with the help of wide paws. Some bears manage to grab it on the fly when it jumps out of the water.
Bear cubs mainly indulge in honey, because at a young age can climb a tree. Before hibernation The bear begins to develop polygapia - a feeling of constant hunger. This is understandable, since before going to bed you need to dial as much as possible large quantity fat
Grizzly bear breeding
The mating season for grizzly bears usually occurs in June. It is at this time that males are able to smell females even at a very long distance, amounting to several kilometers. Grizzlies stay in a pair for no more than ten days, after which they return to what is already familiar to this species. single image life.
Unfortunately, not all cubs manage to survive and grow up. Sometimes babies become very easy prey for hungry adult male grizzlies and other predators.
Gestation by the female takes approximately 250 days, after which two or three cubs are born in January-February. The average weight of a newborn bear cub, as a rule, does not exceed 410-710 g. Grizzly cubs are born not only naked, but also blind, and also completely toothless, so food in the first months is represented exclusively by mother's milk.
The cubs go out for the first time Fresh air only from the den late spring, around the end of April or beginning of May. It is from this moment that the female begins to gradually accustom her offspring to obtaining food independently.
As cold weather approaches, the mother bear and cubs begin searching for a new, more spacious den. Bear cubs become independent only in the second year of life, when they are already able to get enough food for themselves. Females reach sexual maturity only at three years, and males about a year later.
Population status and conservation of the grizzly bear
Currently, grizzly bears are protected, so their main habitat is represented by national parks on American territory.
The total grizzly bear population today is approximately fifty thousand individuals.
Reading fiction You often come across stories about grizzly bears. The grizzly bear is vividly described in the books familiar and beloved in childhood by Fenimore Cooper, Seton-Thompson and Jack London. There he is presented as the owner of the forest.
Grizzly and really the biggest beast of prey on the American continent. Its weight reaches 450 kilograms, and its length is 2.5 meters. The claws reach 15 centimeters. Because of their long claws, grizzlies cannot climb trees.
The main habitat of the grizzly bear is the inaccessible places of Alaska and northern Canada. Because of its color, the grizzly bear is sometimes called the gray bear.
He is credited with bloodthirstiness, although in fact this is not the case. For the most part, this bear eats plant foods, but does not shy away from meat and fish.
It attacks humans very rarely and generally tries to stay away from people. Although a wounded and enraged animal is extremely dangerous. A grizzly bear attacks a person when defending its hunting grounds or when a female protects her cubs.
Sometimes the Spaniards pitted the bear against the bull. The bear's freedom of movement was limited, and he almost always emerged victorious in the fight.
The picture shows a grizzly brown bear for comparison.
Brown bear- the hero of many fairy tales and legends. This is the most common type of bear. Its weight is from 80 to 400 kilograms, body length is 250 cm, height at the withers is from 75 to 160 cm.
Females are smaller than males. Average duration life in freedom is 20-30 years. Females give birth to offspring every 2-4 years. And babies live with their mother until they are 3 years old. They live on all continents of Eurasia in forest zones. They know how to climb trees.
For the most part they eat plant foods and are very fond of honey, but they do not mind eating fish and roe deer.
In winter, having accumulated fat over the summer, bears hibernate.
In spring, bears often attack animals, since there is little plant food in the forest in spring. Both wild boar and elk can become its prey. Particularly aggressive are bears that have not accumulated fat reserves in the summer and therefore do not sleep in the winter and walk through the forest for prey. People call them connecting rods.
Very often bears perform in the circus. Bears are one of the smartest animals.
The main differences between a grizzly bear and a brown bear:
Different habitats.
The grizzly bear is larger than the brown bear.
The coat color is different.
A grizzly bear cannot climb trees, but a brown bear is a good climber.
P.S. Despite some differences, the brown bear and grizzly bear are closest relatives and belong to the same bear family (lat. Ursidae)
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