Largest Grizzly Bear Paw-Smacking Facts For You

The North American brown bear, or grizzly bear, is one of the largest carnivores in the world.

Sustaining themselves on fish and wildlife during the summer months, these bears hibernate during winter. A grizzly bear's enormous size is attributed to helping it survive harsh winters.

There are some uncertainties about the largest grizzly bear ever because these bears usually live far away from civilization in remote areas of the world, including snowy forests and mountain areas. There are a few instances where larger-than-normal specimens have been recorded. A few skull specimens have also been found, which gives us an idea of how large these bears can really grow!

Continue reading to learn more about the ginormous grizzly bear! If you enjoyed this article, then check out our other articles about pack animals and discover these fascinating unicorn facts.

What is the average size of grizzly bears?

North American brown bears, also known as grizzly bears or grizzlies, are a subspecies of brown bears which are found in North America.

These bears are easily distinguishable by their brown fur which can range in color from brown-blonde to nearly black. They also have whitish-blond fur on their flanks and backs. To differentiate between a brown bear and a black bear, it is helpful to know that grizzlies have pronounced, muscular humps on their shoulders, which are not present in black bears.

Some of the largest carnivores in the world, brown bears are only slightly smaller than their vicious cousins, polar bears. On average, adult grizzly bears can stand at 3.2 ft (1 m) tall with a total length of 6.5 ft (2 m)! Males weigh slightly more at 400-790 lb (180-360 kg) than females who are smaller at 290-400 lb (130-180 kg).

How big are grizzly bear cubs?

Grizzly bear cubs are quite tiny and usually weigh around 1 lb (16 oz). However, they grow very fast and often average in at between 150-200 lb (68-91 kg) at the end of their first year!

Grizzly bears can be popular with hunters and bear hunting is legal in some parts of America with a permit. Their populations are fortunately stable for now. The official IUCN status of these giant bears is of Least Concern as of now thanks to the hunting permits in place around the world.

The grizzly bear is one of six subspecies of brown bear, with its scientific name being Ursus arctos horribili,s, literally meaning 'horrible bear'! It is safe to say that the grizzly bear does not have such a friendly reputation in its home habitat of North America.

How big is the world's largest grizzly bear?

The largest frizzly bear in Alaska ever recorded was shot in 1952, by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee named Roy R. Lindsley.

The bear shot was technically a Kodiak bear, found specifically in Alaska. However, the Kodiak bear and grizzly bear belong to the same species (Ursus arctos). Both subspecies have subtle differences in their skull structures, claws, and feet. Inland brown bears are called grizzlies, while bears near the coasts are called brown bears. The largest grizzly bear in Alaska is the Kodiak bear.

The bear shot by Lindsley stood over 9 ft (2.7 m) tall and weighed around 1,656 lb (751 kg). However, the news of the world's largest grizzly bear ever killed, rumored to be around 1600 lb (725 kg) and measuring near 10 ft 2 in (3.1 m) in height, has been debunked. The massive bear was said to have been shot in October 2001 by a US Forest Service in Alaska. The details of the actual story and pictures shared have been greatly exaggerated over the years, and the rumors were proven false after proper research into the matter. Though grizzly bears can weigh up to 1,200 lb (544 kg), it is very unlikely that anyone has recorded one which has crossed this mark. The bear caught in this case was proven to be one of the larger ones, however it was still nowhere as large as it was claimed to be.

Why do grizzly bears grow so big?

Grizzly bears are omnivores and can usually be found in colder areas such as in northern America, Canada, and Alaska. According to Bergmann's rule of evolution related to size, animals living in colder areas are likely to be bigger and rounder. Their larger surface area to volume ratio helps them to conserve body heat.

This is evident in different species of bear, with species inhabiting the coldest regions, such as the polar bear, also being the largest species. In comparison to the sun bear that lives in warm, tropical Asia, the grizzly bear and brown bear are quite large!

A bear's diet is also very heavy in fat, as added fat in the body helps to keep this animal warm. Bears consume a variety of fruits and nuts and hunt small mammals, deer, and animal carcasses, which helps add to the natural fat content of their bodies. Grizzly bears usually grow in size before the winter period of hibernation, which they spend sleeping in caves, tree hollows, or holes underground, before coming out in spring. In preparation for hibernation, bears indulge in hyperphagia, which means hunting and consuming excess food, in order for their bodies to conserve warmth while hibernating. Their metabolic rate also slows down immensely during this period, expending less energy, slowing down their breathing, and lowering their body temperature so that they do not freeze to death during this period. Grizzly bears are known to gain around 400 lb (181 kg) before hibernation!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked finding out about the largest grizzly bear then why not take a look at the largest carnivore, or how long do crocodiles live for?