It was brought to my attention that we have yet to venture deep into the forest of western North America to learn about the amazing Grizzly Bear. After today, they will have their very own Wild Fact. So sit back and enjoy the last few remaining remnants of easter chocolate while we explore the world of the one of the most majestic but potentially deadly animals you will find in North America. Although these beautiful animals can be found throughout western North America, their densities are highest in western Canada and throughout Alaska. At one time, the Grizzly Bear roamed throughout a large portion of the continental United States, however, human development has pushed the bear population to a mere 1000 wild individuals.

A Deadly Predator

For the most part, when you think of Grizzly Bears, you probably think of a deadly predator that is just waiting to hunt you down. Who can blame you considering these bears have an average weight of 363 kg (800 lbs) and just happen to be a powerful predator sitting on top of the food chain. What you may not realize though, is the Grizzly Bear mostly feeds on berries, nuts, leaves and roots. Granted, from time to time they will feed on animals such as rodents, fish and even Moose but this is not the main staple of their diet.

A Happy Bear

Just because they like fruit and vegetables doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be cautious in Grizzly Bear territory. These large animals are surprisingly quick as they can reach speeds up to 48 km/hr (30 mph) and will do anything to defend their cubs. Let’s face it, we have all heard the horror stories of these majestic creatures attacking humans. This does happen and it is usually a result of us startling the bear or wandering in between the mother and her cub…by the way, neither one of these are recommended practices. You should always be making a lot of noise while walking through Grizzly Bear territory and if you happen to come across a bear, make sure you leave plenty of room for them to escape. Yes, these creatures are incredibly powerful and can be quite deadly but if you make noise and leave them lots of room to escape, they will be much happier and trust me – you want them to be happy!