Know Your Bears!

Grizzly Bear

Black Bear

Key Features of
Grizzly Bear:

• In profile, snout rises sharply into broad "dished" face.
• Ears rounded, noticeable but not prominent.
• Pronounced shoulder hump
• Claws of front feet are long, sometimes with white streak. In prints the claws are obvious — 2 to 3 inches ahead of toes.
• When standing on the level, a grizzly's body profile slopes backward from the high point at the front shoulders.
• Fur is often "grizzled" in appearance (silver-tipped) — not all grizzlies, nor all times of the year.

Key Features of
Black Bear:

• In profile, snout and face form straight line—no "dished" face.
• Ears pointed and somewhat prominent.
• No shoulder hump.
• Claws of front feet are short and usually black. They make little or no imprint in track.
• When standing on the level, a black bear's body profile slopes forward from the high point at the hips.

Other Features of
Grizzly Bear:

• Adults are generally larger than black bears — weighing from 100 to 500 kg (200 to 1100 lbs.).
• Adult fore-foot print — about 14 cm (5.5 in.) wide;
  rear-foot print — about 25 cm (9.75 in.) long.
• Color varies from tawny brown to black.

Other Features of
Black Bear:

• Adults are generally smaller than grizzlies — weighing 45 to 200 kg (100 to 440 lbs.).
• Adult fore-foot print — about 9.5 cm (3.75 in.) wide;
  rear-foot print — about 18 cm (7 in.) long.
• Color varies from black to blond.