Brown bears (Ursus arctos) can be distinguished from American

Brown bears (Ursus arctos) can be distinguished from American black and polar bears by their distinct shoulder hump, dish-shaped face, and long claws. They can vary in color from black to blonde.

Brown bears, also known as grizzly bears, can be found in many of our national parks. The name grizzly usually refers to bears living inland, away from the coast. While bears of the same species might look similar, everything from their size, coloring, diet, and sleeping patterns depend on the bear’s location. For example, a bear’s diet varies depending on what foods are available during a specific season in a specific region.
Let’s take a look at two different brown bears, a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park and an Alaskan brown bear, to see how they differ in diet, winter dens, and life cycle. For more information about bears and bear behavior in a specific national park, please contact that park.