Mammal · GBIF taxon 2433433
Brown Bear
Ursus arctosAlso known as Grizzly Bear, Kodiak Bear, Eurasian Brown Bear
Brown bears dominate northern landscapes with immense strength, digging up tubers and hunting salmon with powerful shoulder muscles and long claws. These massive omnivores spend spring and summer feeding heavily to build thick fat reserves before winter hibernation in underground dens. Mothers raise cubs for up to three years, teaching complex foraging skills and defending them aggressively against rivals.
Apex PredatorMammalOmnivore
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Pacific Salmon
- Elk and Moose
- Berries and Tubers
Predators
- Siberian Tigers (cubs)
- Wolves (cubs)
- Humans
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, poaching
HabitatsBoreal forests, subalpine meadows, coastal valleys, tundra
Life span20 to 30 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyUrsidae
- SpeciesUrsus arctos
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Large and powerful; maintain distance, carry bear spray, and avoid surprising them.
- Why it is dangerous
- Massive physical strength and defensive aggression can result in lethal maulings, particularly around cubs or carcass sites.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Distinguished by a prominent muscle hump above the shoulders, a dished facial profile, and long front claws.
- What to do
- Never run or approach; back away slowly while speaking calmly and keep bear spray unholstered.
Responsible observation
- Safe Distance: Keep at least 100 yards away from brown bears at all times.
- Travel in Groups: Make steady noise on trails to prevent startling a bear in dense cover.
- Food Storage: Secure all food and garbage in approved bear-resistant containers.
Competitor Diginatur / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Prey (c) Cole Wolf, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cole Wolf · cc-by
Close Relative Alan Wilson / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.