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 Photo Courtesy of John Hyde |
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Katmai Brown Bear Facts
Latin name: Ursus Arctos-Horribilis
With a length of 7-10 feet and males weigh 400-1200 lbs and females 200-800 lbs. They are colored dark brown to even a light blond. The Alaska population is estimated to be between 35,000-45,000. It has been documented that the life span of brown bears can be 30-35 years old.
Bear concentrations
The Alaska Peninsula has some of the highest densities of Brown Bears in the world. It is to be expected that wherever you go in the state you have the opportunity to see bears. Bear concentrations are highest in places where human density is lowest and also where an abundance of their food source persists.
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While this bears coloring might fool you it is an Alaskan brown Bear |
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Recognition
Brown bears have a concave dish shaped face with black or brownish paws. Brown bears have a hump on their shoulder that is a mass of muscle that enables them to dig and use their paws with extreme force. They use their long curved claws to dig up roots and bulbs of plants and to dig den sites for the winter.
Best Bear Viewing Times
As a general rule bears will flee when they see humans. The best bear viewing is done in the morning and evening hours of the day but during the intense feeding periods of the summer salmon spawn they can be regularly seen during the day. As their food source becomes less concentrated their ranges increase. Finding food, finding mates, and avoiding being hunted dictate a brown bear´s life.
Understanding Their Behaviors
In general, bears will avoid humans and understanding their behaviors and acting accordingly secure your safety. Bears are not hateful, spiteful, or malicious animals searching out humans. Bears are social animals and are considered not to be territorial as they share home ranges. On the other hand bears will defend their personal space and each social setting is often dictated by a social hierarchy. It must be understood that the bear is at the top of the food chain and have very few predators and fears. As many fishing guides in the state know bears often don´t even look up as they walk the well worn paths of rivers and lakes. Not always being aware of their surroundings it is important that we as humans take precautions to let it be known where we are and not to surprise or get in a bears personal space.
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Misconceptions
Seen in the movies and old time books a standing bear is depicted to be very aggressive. The fact is that bears stand to get a better look around, to smell, and get a different perspective into what attracted their attention. There are many misconceptions about bear facts and we at Alaska Adventures bear viewing tours want to dispel these myths and to nourish, promote, and cultivate a reverence and respect for these wonderful creatures.
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Bear Facts;)
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