Ecological Role of Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Bears' Ecological Role in Nature



Crucial Ecological Role in Ecosystems Grizzly Bears Inhabit

Grizzly bears play a crucial ecological role in the ecosystems they inhabit, and their presence has far-reaching effects on the structure and function of these environments.

Seed Dispersal by Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears are important seed dispersers. They consume a variety of fruits, berries, and plant materials, and the seeds pass through their digestive system. As they move through their territories, bears deposit seeds in different locations, contributing to plant dispersal and diversity.

Grizzly Bear Ecosystem Engineering

Grizzly bears engage in behaviors that modify their environment, such as digging for roots, tubers, and insects. This digging activity can create open spaces, known as "digging pits," that influence vegetation composition and encourage the growth of certain plant species.

Carcass Recycling by Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears, as scavengers, play a critical role in recycling nutrients within ecosystems. When they feed on carcasses, they help redistribute nutrients from one location to another, benefiting soil fertility and supporting the growth of vegetation.

Grizzly Top Predator Dynamics

Grizzly bears are apex predators, and their presence influences the behavior and distribution of other species within their ecosystems. The fear of predation by bears can shape the movements and habits of prey species, influencing population dynamics and promoting a healthier balance in ecosystems.

Regulation of Herbivore Populations

By preying on herbivores or scavenging carcasses, grizzly bears contribute to regulating the populations of ungulates and other herbivores. This helps prevent overgrazing and maintains a more balanced distribution of plant resources.

Altering Plant Communities

Grizzly bears can influence plant communities through their foraging and digging activities. This alteration of vegetation can have cascading effects on the abundance and distribution of plant species, impacting the overall biodiversity of ecosystems.

Grizzly Bears' Influence on Fish Populations

In coastal areas, where grizzly bears feed on salmon during the spawning season, their activities contribute to nutrient transfer from marine to terrestrial ecosystems. The carcasses of spawned-out salmon provide a valuable food source for bears and other scavengers, enhancing nutrient cycling.

Natural Selection by Grizzly Bears

The presence of grizzly bears as apex predators contributes to natural selection within prey populations, favoring traits that improve survival and evasion from predators. This process helps maintain healthy and resilient prey populations.

Grizzly bears are considered keystone species, meaning their presence has a disproportionately large impact on the structure and function of their ecosystems. The conservation and management of grizzly bears are essential not only for the well-being of the bears themselves but also for the health and resilience of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Subscribe to Watch Free Grizzly Bear Videos Wildlife on Video




Grizzly Bears in Canada

Wild Grizzly Bears Captured in Nature on Video..

View more Grizzly Bear(Ursus Arctos) videos with Wildlife On Video.

Popular Grizzly Bear Videos »
Grizzly Bear Newborns »
Grizzly Bear Families »
Big Grizzly Bears »
Grizzly Bear Cubs »
Grizzly Bears in Hyperphagia »
Grizzly Bears in Nature Videos »
Wild Grizzly Bears in Nature »
All Grizzly Bear Videos

Wild Grizzly Bears


Grizzly Bear - Brown Bear Species

Genetic science reveals the grizzly to be a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). In North America, "brown bear" is also known as "grizzly bear", being all the same species, Ursus arctos.

Coastal grizzly bears are larger and darker than inland grizzlies. They were considered a different species from grizzlies at one time. Kodiak grizzly bears also were considered a distinct species. At that time there were five different species of brown bear, including these three in North America.



Grizzly Bear Size

Female grizzlies usually weigh 130–180 kg (290–400 lb), while adult male grizzly bears weigh on average 180–360 kg (400–790 lb). Female Grizzly Bear average weights would be 136 kg (300 lb) inland and 227 kg (500 lb) coastal. One study found that the average weight for an inland male grizzly bear was around 272 kilograms (600 pounds), and the average weight for a coastal male was around 408 kg (899 lb). Newborn grizzly bear cubs uausally weigh less than 500 grams (1.1 lb).



Grizzly Bear Fur Color

Although grizzlies color can be blond to nearly black, grizzly bear fur is usually brown with darker legs and commonly white or blond tipped fur on the flank and back.



Grizzly Bear Physical Characteristics

A large muscular hump exists on adult grizzly bear shoulders. Aside from the distinguishing hump, grizzly bears also have "dished in" face profiles with short, rounded ears.

Grizzly bear's rear end is lower than its shoulders, where as a black bear's rump is higher than its shoulders.

Grizzly bear's front claws are usually 2–4 inches in length, where as a black bear's claws measure about 1–2 inches in length.



Grizzly Bear Hibernation

Grizzly bears hibernate from 5 to 7 months each year unless they live in warm climates where they may not hibernate at all. During hibernation, female grizzly bears give birth and their offspring will consume milk from their mother for the remainder of the hibernation period.

Grizzly bears must consume an immense amount of food to prepare for hibernation. Bears can gain hundreds of pounds during the period just before hibernation called hyperphagia. In this period, grizzlies may consume up to 10 times the amount of calories compared to Spring and Summer.

Bears do not eat during hibernation. Grizzly bears do not defecate or urinate throughout the entire hibernation period. Male grizzly bears usually come out of hibernation in early to mid-March, while females emerge in April or early May.

Bears often wait for a snowstorm as a trigger to enter their den. This behavior reduces the chances that predators will find the den. Grizzly Bear dens are typically at elevations above 1,800 m (5,900 ft) on north-facing slopes.

Inland or Rocky Mountain grizzlies spend nearly half of their life in dens while coastal grizzly bears spend less time in dens. If food is very plentiful year round, grizzly bears may not hibernate at all.



Grizzly Bear Reproduction

Grizzly bears have one of the lowest reproductive rates of all land mammals in North America. Grizzly bears do not reach sexual maturity until they are at least five years old. After mating, females delay embryo implantation until hibernation, during which miscarriage can occur if the female is not in good enough condition. Female grizzly bears usually produce two cubs in a litter, with the mother caring for the cubs for up to two years before mating again.

Grizzlies are normally solitary animals, but in coastal areas, grizzlies gather around streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds during the salmon spawn. Females (sows) produce one to four cubs that are small and weigh only about 450 grams (1 lb) at birth. Unfortunately, most grizzly bear cubs do not make it through their first year due to many factors.



Grizzly Bear Lifespan

The average lifespan for a grizzly boar is estimated at 22 years, with sows living slightly longer at 26.

Females live longer than males due to their less dangerous life, as they do not fight during mating season like boars do. The oldest known wild inland grizzly was about 34 years old(Alaska), with the oldest known coastal bear being 39. Captive grizzlies have been known to live as long as 44 years.

Popular Grizzly Bear Videos