There are three species of bear native to North America. Most quite a few North American bears. The most typical is the American black bear, followed by the brown bear after which the polar bear. Found all through Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Weighs 200 to 600 pounds. Can be darkish or light brown (cinnamon), typically even white. Not all the time black in color. 900,000 and never threatened. 📍Location: The American black bear can be found all through Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Nevertheless, some subspecies such because the Louisiana black bear are protected beneath the U.S. 📏 Size: Adults weigh 200 to 600 pounds and are 5 to six toes in length. 👀 Options: Most black bears are black, but their fur can vary from dark brown to lighter brown (cinnamon) and even white on rare occasions. They have pointed ears and a straight face. Of all of the bear species black bears are some of the very best at climbing timber. Their comparatively smaller dimension and shorter claws make them quick and nimble to climb timber for safety, meals, and even hibernation. The vast majority of their weight loss program is vegetarian consisting of berries, plant shoots, and nuts. 🌱 Diet: Their various food plan gives them the flexibility to stay in a big vary of habitats. They also eat insects, fish, and carrion. 😱 Harmful? They're the more than likely bear to be encountered within the backcountry. And sure, they love honey. The grizzly and Kodiak are the 2 subspecies of brown bears in North America. Most widespread bear species are found within the northern Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Brown bears are essentially the most widespread of all bear species, discovered in the northern Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Asia, Europe, and the Center East. Grizzlies are responsible for nearly all bear attacks in North America, with 46 per 12 months. Though their conservation standing is “least concern”, their spread-out nature and diminished habitat make many of the small remaining pockets fragile. The 200,000 brown bears of the world occupy a wide number of habitats spanning deserts, forests, and mountains. All brown bears share a big build, a dish-formed face, and a shoulder hump. Their hair is lighter at the information, which led to the identify of essentially the most well-known subspecies, grizzly. Brown bears forage on roots, berries, insects, and fish, and a few even hunt young mammals similar to elk and moose. Their shade varies from gentle blonde to dark brown. The 2 subspecies in North America are the grizzly and Kodiak. 📍Location: Grizzly bears are discovered within the northern USA, Canada, and Alaska. 📏 Size: Adults weigh 400 to 790 pounds, are 6.5 toes long, and have a shoulder height of 3.3 toes. 🌱 Food plan: Grizzlies eat berries, nuts, salmon and have been known to prey on large mammals. Coastal grizzlies tend to be larger than these discovered within the Rocky Mountains attributable to a richer diet. Every year there are 46 attacks and 6 deaths. 😱 Harmful? Recognized for his or her aggressive behavior, grizzlies are liable for probably the most bear attacks in North America. 📍Location: Kodiak bears are only found on the Kodiak Islands, an archipelago in southwestern Alaska. 📏 Measurement: Kodiak bears are virtually as massive as polar bears, weighing 600 to 1,four hundred pounds, 8 ft long, and 4 toes tall on the shoulder. 🌱 Weight loss plan: Their food regimen is similar to mainland grizzly bears. Nonetheless, as a consequence of more plentiful meals sources, the islands can help a denser bear inhabitants. Geographic isolation from the mainland allowed the 3,500 Kodiak bears to become their own subspecies. This has led to a more advanced social construction which ends up in less conflict between bears. 😱 Dangerous? Like grizzlies, Kodiak bears might be aggressive. As a result of their isolation, there is only one assault on people every other 12 months. Largest species of bear on the earth weighing between 800 and 1,300 pounds. Eating regimen is generally made up of meat, often from seals. 📍Location: Polar bears are the biggest bears and largest land carnivores on the planet. Fur appears white but is actually clear. The world’s 20,000 to 30,000 polar bears range within the snow-coated arctic ice in Alaska, Canada, Russia, and Norway. 📏 Size: Grownup polar bears are 800 to 1,300 pounds and could be 7 to 10 ft tall. They're a threatened species because of loss of habitat from local weather change. Despite their huge size polar bears may be fast, maintaining a 6 mph tempo in the water. 👀 Options: Compared to different bears, polar bears have a slimmer physique, slim head, longer neck, and paddle-like paws. For context, swimmer Michael Phelps gained Olympic gold medals with a 4.7 mph tempo! 🌱 Weight loss plan: Their food plan consists largely of animals, particularly seals which they will scent from a mile away. Though they appear white, their fur is actually clear and their skin is black. 😱 Harmful? Polar bears can be extraordinarily dangerous. They see humans as potential prey. Assaults are rare as a result of remote nature of their habitat. Known for its cream color chest blazes. At 300 pounds one of the smaller bears. Simple to tame and infrequently common in circuses. 📍Location: The Asian black bear is present in forests and shrublands throughout Asia from Iran to Japan. The inhabitants is estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 and is taken into account susceptible. 📏 Measurement: One of many smaller species, adults weigh round 300 pounds and stand forty seven to seventy five inches tall. 🌱 Weight-reduction plan: Relying on the season it commonly feeds on small mammals, birds, fish, mollusks and carcasses or grasses, fruits, berries, seeds, insects, and honey. Assaults on people are increasing as people encroach on their habitat. 😱 Dangerous? They are considered one of the easiest bears to tame (and therefore common in circuses), however Asian black bears are extra aggressive than their North American counterparts. Discovered solely in China. 99% of its food plan is bamboo. Actually, the second particular person in historical past to obtain a facial transplant was mauled by an Asian black bear whereas defending his sheep. Recognized for its iconic white face, eye patches, and striped physique. 📍Location: Pandas are discovered only in China. Solely 1,500 to 2,000 remain in the wild and they are thought-about a weak species. 📏 Size: Pandas weigh round 300 pounds and can be over four ft tall, a powerful feat contemplating they weigh only about 3.5 ounces at beginning. It additionally has an in depth cousin, the Qinling panda which has the identical sample in mild brown and white. 🌱 Food plan: Unlike other bears the panda’s diet is homogeneous; 99% of what they eat is bamboo. 👀 Options: The giant panda is iconic for its white face, black eye patches, and striped physique. All that fibrous bamboo keeps them common: they poop over 40 occasions a day! 😱 Harmful? Attacks are uncommon but harmful, on condition that pandas have one in every of the highest bite forces of any carnivore. Smallest Bear weighing fifty five to 143 pounds. Present in South East Asia. Eight to 10-inch lengthy tongue for slurping up insects and honey. 📍Location: The Solar bear is found within the forest and shrubland of South East Asia and India. It is the least studied bear and. Its population is uncertain however considered weak and on the decline on account of loss of habitat and poaching. Solar bears are hunted for their gallbladders and different physique elements utilized in conventional medicines. 📏 Size: They stand solely 39 to fifty five inches and weigh fifty five to 143 pounds making them the smallest bear. 👀 Features: Sun bears have strongly curved claws, small rounded ears, and a brief snout. They're named for his or her pale, horseshoe-formed chest patch that looks like a rising solar. Additionally they eat seeds, fruit, birds, and deer. 🌱 Food regimen: Solar bears tear apart bushes and nests to eat ants, bees, beetles, termites, and honey. Their love of honey has given them the nickname “honey bears.” Actually, they have an incredibly long tongue (8-10 inches) for slurping up insects and honey. Native to South Asia. 😱 Harmful? Because of its shy nature, assaults are uncommon. Long, shaggy fur and mane gave them the title sloth bear. Sloth bears are feared by rhinos and elephants. 📍Location: The Sloth bear is found within the low elevation savanna and shrubland of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. With a declining inhabitants of less than 20,000, they are thought of vulnerable. 📏 Dimension: They're fifty five to 75 inches long and weigh 200 to 300 pounds. 👀 Features: With their long shaggy fur and mane, they're simple to tell other than different Asiatic bears. In reality, they are very quick and can out-gallop humans. European explorers mistook them for sloths after seeing them hanging the wrong way up from bushes. They are noisy, messy eaters tearing up termite mounds with their huge curved claws. 🌱 Diet: Their food regimen consists of termites, ants, and fruit. 😱 Harmful? They're one of the vital aggressive bears, with essentially the most assaults on people, mostly as a consequence of shock encounters. They blow the mud round with large puffs and suck the ants up so loudly they are often heard 600 ft away. Sloth bears stand their ground if threatened and do not mix properly with rhinos and elephants, typically charging at each other when in proximity. Only South American bear. World’s final short-confronted bear. The identify “spectacled” comes from the lighter markings round their eyes that seem like glasses. This vulnerable species of 13,000 to 18,000 remaining bears are discovered within the cloud forests of the Andes from Argentina to Ecuador. 📏 Size: They're mid-sized, weighing 175 to 275 pounds, and standing forty seven to 79 inches tall. 📍Location: The spectacled bear is the world’s final short-confronted bear and the only bear native to South America. 👀 Options: The name “spectacled” comes from the lighter markings around their eyes that sometimes look like glasses. They spend most of their time in timber where they construct nest platforms, sleep and jealously guard treasured fruit and carcasses. 🌱 Food plan: Spectacled bears are mostly herbivores with a weight loss plan consisting of largely cactus, bromeliad, palm hearts, and fruit, but they'll opportunistically eat mammals like rabbits and tapirs. 😱 Harmful? Dwelling in distant mountains, these shy bears will be the least harmful of all bear species. Their bodies are smaller than polar bears however bigger than grizzlies. The Grolar bear (aka Pizzly) is a uncommon hybrid of a polar bear and a grizzly bear that happens in each nature and captivity. Grolar bear habits is closer to the polar bear. They feature the lengthy necks of polar bears and the shoulder humps of grizzlies. In captivity, they've been documented stomping toys, similar to how polar bears break ice. Black-brown hybrid bears have been bred in captivity, notably at the London Zoo in 1859, however have not been confirmed in the wild. In 1986, a suspected grizzly-brown hybrid was shot however DNA exams have been unable to determine what kind of bear it was. Adorable koalas usually are not bears, they are burly marsupials. Water bears aren’t bears either, they are indestructible, microscopic animals that can survive in space. Most bear assaults happen when a bear is startled or defending their cubs. Pink pandas? They’re in their own family which might be closer cousins with skunks and raccoons than bears. 1. BEWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Look ahead to bear scat and bear tracks that will point out a bear is close by, by which case you wish to be extra vigilant. Listed below are a number of suggestions you should use to prevent bear encounters and keep you and your hiking buddies secure. 2. MAKE NOISE. This helps bears know you're here so they don't by accident startle them. Consider attaching a bear bell to your pack. 3. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. While you might have great intentions, a bear is more likely to really feel threatened when it sees you approaching and defend itself. 3. Secure YOUR SCENTED Objects (AT CAMP). In case you see a bear, don't try to approach or feed it. This consists of food, but additionally your toiletries, for example. Whichever methodology you select, make certain it's a minimum of 200 ft away from your tent so you don't attract bears to your campsite. 4. Stay CALM. Should you meet a bear, don't run. Try to make your self look as large as doable, waving your arms above your head. You can even lengthen a jacket above your head to make yourself look bigger. Lock this stuff in a bear canister or use a bear bag to grasp them up in a tree. Don't scream or try to scare the bear. 5. USE BEAR SPRAY (AS A last RESORT). Converse to it calmly and slowly back away. Full instruction on how to make use of bear spray right here. If the bear is dangerously close (30 toes) or is charging at you, pull out your bear spray and use it in 1-2 second bursts, aiming slightly downward. 6. Fight Again. If all else fails and a bear assaults you, do not play dead. Which bear is the biggest? Averaging 900-1500 lbs, 8.Zero to 8.4 feet long, and 4.0 to 5.25 feet tall, the most important bear by each dimension and weight is the polar bear. The biggest ever recorded was 2,200 lbs. Struggle again with all of your strength and hope that it'll again down. Which bear is the most harmful? All bears are harmful if provoked. Globally, the Asian black bear is understood for the most assaults. When in bear country, it’s all the time clever to carry bear spray. It’s effectively deserved, particularly when cubs are round. Annually there are approximately 46 grizzly attacks, 6 resulting in loss of life. In North America, grizzly bears have the most fearsome repute. Which bear is the strongest? Whereas you’re most prone to see an American black bear, on average there is only one attack per year. By way of uncooked chew power, measured in Newtons, the polar bear's chunk reigns supreme. koala bear soft toy All bears are strong and not to be messed with. When utilizing the bite drive quotient (chew power relative to size), the solar bear packs essentially the most punch. Initially named “Hotfoot Teddy”, Smokey Bear was a black bear cub discovered within the spring of 1950 after a wildfire in New Mexico. He had climbed a tree to escape the fire however sustained burns on his paws and hind legs. Quickly after he grew to become an icon and to this day is the star of the longest-working public service announcement campaign. Yogi Bear is an animated bear recognized for his love of “pic-a-nic” baskets. More importantly Yogi Bear has inspired numerous through-hikers to try and grasp the art of “yogi-ing”, the act of not fairly begging however receiving favors from strangers. Baloo s a sloth bear, although he has some characteristics of the Asian black bear. He's an easygoing, friendly bear who lives a responsibility-free lifestyle. He also might be the primary bear to obtain his pilot’s license. Earlier than he was the storybook teddy bear, Winnie the Pooh was a black bear from Canada which the author’s son typically would visit at the London Zoo. Winnie is brief for “Winnipeg,” the city in Canada close to where he was from. Chris also wrote Tips on how to Hike the Appalachian Trail. Equal parts backpacking food and ultralight gear. After through-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to provide fast, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. Get epic tips, guides and the way-to's in your inbox each two weeks.