The Grizzly Bear 



Lois I. Webster 

 Stanley, N. Y. 



The grizzly bear is one of the most interesting of the larger 

 animals. His size and strength, combined with his almost human 

 intelligence, makes him also one of the most feared. In North 

 America his range stretches from the Rocky Mountains of Utah to 

 Alaska. Closely related varieties occur in the Southern Rockies, 

 while a northern ally ranges from Hudson Bay to the Mackenzie 

 and northward. 



In appearance the grizzly is heavy and lumbering. The total 

 length of a good specimen is 6 ft. 6 inches. His rough shaggy fur 

 is especially long on the shoulders and flanks and usually it is 

 brownish yellow, darker on the back and legs, the long hair shading 

 into reddish brown. There are many varieties in coloring depend- 

 ing apparently upon the locality. The front claws are much 

 longer than the hind ones and strongly curved. In the spring, 

 when Bruin first awakens, and emerges from his winter den his feet 

 are very tender and he spends much time sucking his paws. This 

 was once believed to be due to hunger after the long fast. His 

 snout also is tender and sensitive at all times, probably to assist 

 him in feeling out the ants which he licks up with one sweep of his 

 big tongue. 



In the spring before the mother leaves her winter den, the young 

 are bom. They are hairless and very small, — not much larger than 

 chipmunks. Their eyes are closed and their ears are nothing but 

 small lumps. Their mother hcks them continually for many days. 

 Aristotle believed that cubs were hcked into shape by this process 

 and that without it they would not be well formed bears. When 

 they begin to run around and play they look extremely like adults. 

 The puppy coat is retained as the first winter coat but it is moulted 

 off in masses in early spring. 



Some htinters assert that the Grizzly can successfully compete 

 with any other animal. The strength of the forearm is tremendous 

 and combined with the heavy claws makes a formidable weapon. 

 A Grizzly has been known to kill and drag off a bull bison of looo 

 or more pounds. However, bear diet is not confined to big game. 

 Mice, insects, berries, wild plvmis, green fodder in the meadow, 

 toadstools, fish and honey are some of the most prized delicacies 

 of bruin diet. 



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