# Brown Bear (*Ursus arctos*)

> The brown bear is one of the world's largest land carnivores, found across North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults typically weigh 130–360 kg (290–800 lb), run up to 56 km/h (35 mph), and hibernate through winter in dens. Coastal populations that feed heavily on salmon can grow much larger than inland grizzlies.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Forests and mountains across Alaska, western Canada, the Rocky Mountains, Scandinavia, the Carpathians, and temperate Asia including Kamchatka and Hokkaido.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/brown-bear/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Ursidae
- **Genus:** Ursus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Ursus arctos |
| Diet | Omnivore — berries, fish, roots, insects, and carrion |
| Habitat | Forests, mountains, and tundra across the Northern Hemisphere |
| Lifespan | 20–25 years in the wild (up to 35 in captivity) |
| Weight | 130–600 kg (290–1,320 lb) depending on subspecies and season |
| Top speed | Up to 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Diet and seasonal feeding

Brown bears are omnivores whose diet shifts with the seasons. In spring they graze on sedges and roots; summer brings berries and insects; autumn is dominated by hyperphagia as bears pack on fat before winter. Coastal bears gather at salmon runs, while inland populations rely more on plants and small mammals.

## Hibernation and reproduction

Pregnant females enter dens in late autumn and give birth during hibernation, usually to one to three cubs that nurse and grow inside the den until spring. Hibernation slows heart rate and metabolism dramatically, allowing bears to survive months without eating, drinking, or passing waste.

## Range and subspecies

Brown bears once ranged across much of western North America, Europe, and temperate Asia. Today they persist in Scandinavia, the Carpathians, the Rockies, Alaska, and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The North American grizzly and the Kodiak bear are well-known subspecies of Ursus arctos.

## Conservation and human conflict

Globally listed Least Concern, brown bears nevertheless face local declines from habitat fragmentation, poaching, and conflict with livestock. Responsible bear-country practices — securing food, carrying deterrents, and giving mothers with cubs space — reduce dangerous encounters.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between a brown bear and a grizzly bear?

Grizzly bears are a subspecies of brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) found mainly in inland North America. Coastal brown bears that eat more salmon tend to grow larger. All grizzlies are brown bears, but not all brown bears are grizzlies.

### How big do brown bears get?

Most adult males weigh 180–360 kg (400–800 lb), while females are smaller. Exceptional coastal males in Alaska and Kamchatka can exceed 600 kg when salmon is abundant.

### Do brown bears hibernate?

Yes. Brown bears enter a deep winter dormancy for several months, living off stored body fat. Their heart rate and body temperature drop, and females may give birth inside the den during this period.

### Are brown bears dangerous to humans?

Brown bears usually avoid people, but surprise encounters, food-conditioned bears, and mothers defending cubs can be dangerous. Wildlife agencies advise making noise on trails, storing food properly, and never running from a bear.

### What do brown bears eat?

They are omnivores. Plants — especially berries, roots, and grasses — often make up most of the diet, supplemented by fish, insects, small mammals, and carrion depending on location and season.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Ursus arctos.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Ursus%20arctos&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Ursus arctos. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ursus_arctos/)
- [Wikipedia — Brown Bear.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bear)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/brown-bear/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.