Bear Facts
An adult male black bear
can weigh as much as 650 pounds, but usually is about 450 to 500 pounds at full
weight. The adult female will reach an average weight of between 200 and 400
pounds.
Larger than the
black bear, male grizzly bears stand about 7 feet tall and occasionally
weigh more than 800 pounds, although the average
is from 300 to 600 pounds. Females are smaller but can still weigh as much as
500 pounds, but usually weigh between 200 and 400 pounds.
The biggest
threat to the grizzly is human- caused mortality. Grizzlies become habituated to
humans because of what biologists call "attractants," which include garbage, pet
foods, livestock carcasses, and improper camping practices. This can eventually
lead to conflicts between people and bears -- not only in grizzly country, but
also in back country recreation sites.
When hiking in
backcountry, watch for signs of Grizzlies in the area. The three main signs are:
-
Scat or
Grizzly droppings (can be distinguished by their size).
-
Digs or
large holes where the bear has dug for roots or grubs. These too are easily
identified because of size.
-
Rub markings
or missing bark from a tree – removed when a Grizzly clawed it to mark its
territory or rubbed against it to leave its scent.
-
Another sign
of a Grizzly’s presence is the spotting of carcasses or signs of a buried
one. If you see any of these signs then be very cautious.
Fun Fact
Did you know
the real "Smokey The Bear" was an American black bear who in the spring of 1950
was caught in a wildfire in the
Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. The cub was in the Lincoln National Forest, and
Smokey had climbed a tree to escape the fire, but his paws and legs had
been burned. He was rescued by forest rangers fighting the wildfire.
At first he was called Hotfoot Teddy, but was later renamed Smokey. A local
rancher who had been helping fight the fire took the cub home with him, but
being badly burned, the cub needed veterinary aid. New Mexico Department of Fish
and Game Ranger Ray Bell took him to Santa Fe, where he cared for the bear with
his wife, Ruth, and their children, Don and Judy. The story was picked up by the
national news services and Smokey became an instant celebrity.
Soon after,
Smokey was flown to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he lived for 26
years. Upon his death in November 1975, Smokey's remains were returned by the
government to Capitan, New Mexico, and buried at what is now the Smokey Bear
Historical Park.
