American Grizzly Bears
Mrs. Dixon: Research Project
Native American Legend
In the past, Native Americans believed that the american grizzly bear was a "god." They believed this because of how fast the bear was despite how large and strong it was. The grizzly became a symbol of strength. Although they feared the grizzly, they still hunted them for food and clothing. They would wear bear claws around their necks for protection and good health.
Facts
- When on all fours, the average bear is 3.5 feet tall, but can reach as tall as 6-7 feet when standing on his back legs.
- Male bears are twice as big as the females: 400-850 lbs. for the male and 200-400 lbs. for the female.
- The color of the fur changes depending on where the bear lives, though it is typically dark brown.
- They are at the top of the food chain, but sometimes only consist of eating a vegetarian diet.
- They like to eat berries, roots, insects, honey, and fish; sometimes they will hunt rodents, sheep, caribou, elk, and moose.
- American grizzly bears live in a variety of habitats: forests, meadows, and even the Arctic tundra.
- When a female has her cubs, they are born blind and toothless. A female typically has two cubs at a time, but can have up to four cubs at once.
- Grizzlies hibernate for 5-8 months out of the year. However, unlike other animals that also hibernate, this type of bears can wake up in the middle of hibernation.