Quick answer
The grizzly bear is a large North American subspecies of brown bear, named for the grizzled, silver-tipped fur on its back. Grizzlies are powerful omnivores that can weigh up to 360 kg (800 lb), run as fast as 56 km/h (35 mph), and live around 20 to 25 years in the wild. They hibernate through winter in dens.
Key takeaway
The grizzly bear is a large North American subspecies of brown bear, named for the grizzled, silver-tipped fur on its back. Grizzlies are powerful omnivores that can weigh up to 360 kg (800 lb), run as fast as 56 km/h (35 mph), and live around 20 to 25 years in the wild. They hibernate through winter in dens.
Overview
The grizzly bear is a large North American subspecies of brown bear, named for the grizzled, silver-tipped fur on its back. Grizzlies are powerful omnivores that can weigh up to 360 kg (800 lb), run as fast as 56 km/h (35 mph), and live around 20 to 25 years in the wild. They hibernate through winter in dens.
Biology
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is classified as Mammal with conservation status Least Concern. Typical weight 130–360 kg (290–800 lb); lifespan around 20–25 years in the wild.
Ecology
Diet: Omnivore. Habitat: Forests, meadows, and mountains. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.
People and this species
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Further reading
See the full Grizzly Bear profile for FAQs, taxonomy, and related guides on this site.
Diet and feeding
Despite their fearsome reputation, grizzlies are omnivores that eat far more plants than meat. They feast on berries, roots, nuts, insects, fish, and carrion, and famously gather at rivers to catch salmon during the run. In autumn a grizzly may eat for up to 20 hours a day, packing on fat before winter.
Hibernation
Grizzlies spend the harshest months in a den in a state of deep dormancy, living off the fat reserves they built up in autumn. Females give birth during this time, and tiny cubs nurse and grow in the den before emerging in spring. A bear's heart rate and metabolism slow dramatically while it sleeps.
Power and the body
A grizzly is built for strength, with a distinctive shoulder hump of muscle that powers its digging and a bite strong enough to crush bone. Despite their bulk, grizzlies can sprint at 56 km/h (35 mph) over short distances, faster than any human, and they are strong swimmers and capable climbers when young.
Conservation
Brown bears as a whole are listed as Least Concern, but grizzlies were driven out of much of their former range in the lower United States. They survive today mainly in protected areas such as Yellowstone and the northern Rockies, and recovery efforts continue to manage human-bear conflict.
Research notes
Figures for grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter grizzly bears in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Least Concern) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
Grizzly Bear: Key Facts & Natural History?
The grizzly bear is a large North American subspecies of brown bear, named for the grizzled, silver-tipped fur on its back. Grizzlies are powerful omnivores that can weigh up to 360 kg (800 lb), run as fast as 56 km/h (35 mph), and live around 20 to 25 years in the wild. They hibernate through winter in dens.
What is the scientific name of the grizzly bear?
Ursus arctos horribilis
What do grizzly bears eat?
Omnivore
Where do grizzly bears live?
Forests, meadows, and mountains
Are grizzly bears endangered?
Listed here as Least Concern. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.