Brown Bear Facts

Its range extends to most of the Northern hemisphere forest areas in North America, Europe, Russia, Asia.

The brown bear's extended range means its population fluctuates from location to location. For example, the IUCN lists it as endangered in Mongolia but stable in Finland and the United States.

Russia, the world's largest country by land mass, hosts the largest brown bear population.

In North America the brown bear is a western bear, with Alaska home to the largest native brown bear population.

Brown bear populations in the continental United States decreased significantly during the twentieth century. In 1975 they were listed as a threatened species.

Today there are five different regions in the western United States designated as recovery habitats. About ninety per cent of the grizzly population is found in two of those areas, the ecosystem that includes Yellowstone National Park and an area in north central Montana that includes Glacier National Park.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains an up to date page covering their status. The reintroduction and recovery process continues to spark conflict. Recently a court order changed the status of the Yellowstone population back to threatened. Reintroduction of grizzlies into the Bitterroot Ecosystem continues to be met with resistance.

Typically, brown bears are larger than black bears, and their size is a function of their habitat. The availability of an abundant food source helps make the Alaskan brown bear, or Kodiak Bear the largest U.S. brown bear population. Males can grow to five feet standing up and approach a weight of one thousand pounds. Their continental relatives usually measure and weigh in about twenty five percent less.

Surprisings, for their size, brown bears are primarily vegetarian, consuming a variety of plants and fruits in their large territory. They supplement their diet with small mammals and rodents. Occasionally they will prey on larger mammals such as elk or deer.

© 2005-2010 Patricia A. Michaels.