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(Ursus arctos horribilis) Paleontologists have traced modern bears to an ancient ancestor with a long tail, that actually looked like a modern dog. Bears, dogs, and cats are all commonly evolved from the Miacidae, which were small tree-climbing animals that lived approximately 50 million years ago. About 40,000 years ago, the ancestors of the modern grizzly arrived in North America via the exposed land bridge in the Bering Strait, along with humans, mastodons, camels, lions, wolves, and a colossal short-faced bear that was approximately twice the size of the modern grizzly. Biologists have found DNA evidence which indicates that there were three waves of migration for these animals. The first wave moved toward southeastern Alaska, and traveled beyond into North America, eventually becoming the modern grizzly, or Ursus arctos horribilis, of the Rocky Mountains, interior western Canada, and the North |
American Great Plains. The second and third waves of bears crossing the bridge moved towards Kodiak island (Alaska brown bear), and northeastward towards the Arctic (polar bear) respectively. At one time, the grizzly used to roam throughout the Great Plains and the western coast of North America. Today, they only survive in the western mountains and tundra of the north, such as British Columbia. . . and these are alert and wary creatures. Grizzlies can survive in a variety of habitats, but they prefer open areas, high mountains, sub-alpine forests, meadows, alpine tundra and coastlines. The home range of a grizzly will generally vary from 10,000 to 27,000 square miles, which of course depends directly upon the abundance of food. The grizzly has been described as "half a ton of sinew, bone, and muscle. . . the grizzly is a powerful brute." In fact, Native American bear cults and bear clans have regarded the grizzly as their reincarnated warrior ancestors. Its distinctive long claws, though ill-suited for adequate climbing, can deal absolute destruction when unleashed upon a hapless foe or victim. Despite its large and lumbering physique, the grizzly can propel itself in bursts up to 30mph. The hearing and eyesight for the grizzly is average in the animal world, but adequate. Their sense of smell, however, is extraordinary. The grizzly will weigh from 322 to 842 pounds, with a total length of about 8.5 feet. It is characterized by a dish-shaped face, very long claws, and a prominent hump on the shoulders, formed by the muscles of the massive forelegs. The pelage of the grizzly will vary from pale yellow browns and dark browns to almost black. The white tips present on the individual hairs produce a frosted or "grizzled" effect, after which the name 'grizzly' was originally derived.
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The behavior of grizzly bears is unique; all are different and
therefore unpredictable. At the first sign of trouble, some
will run while others will stand and fight. Overall, grizzlies
tend to want to avoid problems, although there are some bears that
seem to almost seek out trouble. Adult male grizzlies are
highly territorial, and will fight to gain or defend a home
territory. In fact, they will attack anything that threatens
them, or when the bear feels to be in danger. When it comes to
the grizzly, it seems that the bear believes the best defense is a
good offense. One of the most unique characteristics of the
grizzly is its propensity to stand up on its hind legs. More
often than not, they will stand up for a better look around, and not
in preparation for an attack as is commonly believed. A grizzly will reach maturity at about three years of age, but may actually continue to grow through six years or even longer. The average expected lifespan is about 25 years, but grizzlies that may be as old as 50 years have been observed in the wild. In contrast with the black bear, the grizzly is much larger and more carnivorous. On the other end of the scale, it is smaller than the polar bear (a close relative) and enjoys a more varied omnivorous diet. As naturalist John Muir once said of the grizzly; "To him almost everything is food, except for granite." Aside from big game animals such as elk, moose, deer and caribou, the diet of the grizzly mostly consists of plants, vegetation, insects, fish and small mammals. The grizzly's reputation as a skilled fisherman of salmon throughout the Pacific Northwest is legendary. The feeding behavior of the grizzly tends to change throughout the year. During the |
spring calving season,
they tend to hunt young elk, deer and caribou. In the summer
months they will dig for rodents and fish the rivers for salmon.
The grizzly is at the top of the predatorial pyramid wherever he
lives, and has no natural enemies apart from man. At Luxor
Creek Outfitters, grizzlies are a spring hunt only. A
successful expedition often involves a lot of patience while
watching the open cut blocks and slides that green up first.
There are a lot of bears in the area, and your chances of bringing home a trophy are excellent. |