There are three species of bear native to North America. Most numerous North American bears. The most typical is the American black bear, adopted by the brown bear after which the polar bear. Discovered all through Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Weighs 200 to 600 pounds. Will be darkish or mild brown (cinnamon), sometimes even white. Not at all times black in coloration. 900,000 and not threatened. 📍Location: The American black bear will be found throughout Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Nonetheless, some subspecies such because the Louisiana black bear are protected under the U.S. 📏 Measurement: Adults weigh 200 to 600 pounds and are 5 to 6 ft in size. 👀 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've pointed ears and a straight face. Of all of the bear species black bears are some of one of the best at climbing timber. Their relatively smaller measurement and shorter claws make them quick and nimble to climb trees for safety, meals, and even hibernation. The vast majority of their weight loss plan is vegetarian consisting of berries, plant shoots, and nuts. 🌱 Food plan: Their assorted food regimen offers them the power to dwell in a large vary of habitats. They also eat insects, fish, and carrion. 😱 Dangerous? They're the most probably bear to be encountered in 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 in the northern Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Asia, Europe, and the Center East. Brown bears are the most widespread of all bear species, found within the northern Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Grizzlies are accountable for nearly all bear attacks in North America, with 46 per 12 months. Although their conservation standing is “least concern”, their unfold-out nature and lowered habitat make most of the small remaining pockets fragile. The 200,000 brown bears of the world occupy a large number of habitats spanning deserts, forests, and mountains. All brown bears share a large construct, a dish-shaped face, and a shoulder hump. Their hair is lighter at the tips, which led to the name of the most famous subspecies, grizzly. Brown bears forage on roots, berries, insects, and fish, and some even hunt young mammals such as elk and moose. Their colour varies from gentle blonde to darkish brown. The 2 subspecies in North America are the grizzly and Kodiak. 📍Location: Grizzly bears are discovered in the northern USA, Canada, and Alaska. 📏 Dimension: Adults weigh 400 to 790 pounds, are 6.5 feet long, and have a shoulder top of 3.3 ft. 🌱 Weight loss program: Grizzlies eat berries, nuts, salmon and have been known to prey on giant mammals. Coastal grizzlies are usually bigger than these discovered within the Rocky Mountains resulting from a richer diet. Annually there are forty six attacks and 6 deaths. 😱 Dangerous? Identified for his or her aggressive behavior, grizzlies are accountable for the most bear assaults in North America. 📍Location: Kodiak bears are solely found on the Kodiak Islands, an archipelago in southwestern Alaska. 📏 Dimension: Kodiak bears are virtually as massive as polar bears, weighing 600 to 1,400 pounds, 8 feet lengthy, and 4 ft tall at the shoulder. 🌱 Diet: Their eating regimen is just like mainland grizzly bears. Nonetheless, attributable to more plentiful food sources, the islands can help a denser bear inhabitants. Geographic isolation from the mainland allowed the 3,500 Kodiak bears to develop into their very own subspecies. This has led to a more complex social structure which results in less conflict between bears. 😱 Dangerous? Like grizzlies, Kodiak bears will be aggressive. Due to their isolation, there is only one attack on people each different yr. Largest species of bear in the world weighing between 800 and 1,300 pounds. Food plan is generally made up of meat, typically from seals. 📍Location: Polar bears are the most important bears and largest land carnivores on the planet. Fur appears white however is actually clear. The world’s 20,000 to 30,000 polar bears range within the snow-lined arctic ice in Alaska, Canada, Russia, and Norway. 📏 Measurement: Adult polar bears are 800 to 1,300 pounds and can be 7 to 10 feet tall. They're a threatened species due to loss of habitat from climate change. Despite their huge dimension polar bears might be fast, sustaining a 6 mph pace within the water. 👀 Features: In comparison with different bears, polar bears have a slimmer body, slender head, longer neck, and paddle-like paws. For context, swimmer Michael Phelps received Olympic gold medals with a 4.7 mph tempo! 🌱 Diet: Their weight-reduction plan consists mostly of animals, especially seals which they will smell from a mile away. Although they appear white, their fur is definitely clear and their pores and skin is black. 😱 Dangerous? Polar bears may be extremely harmful. They see people as potential prey. Assaults are rare as a result of remote nature of their habitat. Recognized for its cream color chest blazes. At 300 pounds one of many smaller bears. Simple to tame and often frequent in circuses. 📍Location: The Asian black bear is found in forests and shrublands throughout Asia from Iran to Japan. The population is estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 and is considered susceptible. 📏 Dimension: One of the smaller species, adults weigh round 300 pounds and stand forty seven to 75 inches tall. 🌱 Eating regimen: Depending on the season it generally feeds on small mammals, birds, fish, mollusks and carcasses or grasses, fruits, berries, seeds, insects, and honey. Assaults on humans are increasing as folks encroach on their habitat. 😱 Harmful? They're one in every of the easiest bears to tame (and due to this fact widespread in circuses), but 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 individual in historical past to receive a facial transplant was mauled by an Asian black bear while defending his sheep. Known for its iconic white face, eye patches, and striped body. 📍Location: Pandas are found solely in China. Only 1,500 to 2,000 remain in the wild and they're thought of a weak species. 📏 Measurement: Pandas weigh around 300 pounds and may be over four feet tall, a formidable feat contemplating they weigh solely about 3.5 ounces at delivery. It also has a close cousin, the Qinling panda which has the identical pattern in light brown and white. 🌱 Food regimen: Not like different bears the panda’s weight loss program is homogeneous; 99% of what they eat is bamboo. 👀 Features: The giant panda is iconic for its white face, black eye patches, and striped physique. All that fibrous bamboo retains them regular: they poop over forty instances a day! 😱 Harmful? Assaults are rare however harmful, provided that pandas have one among the very best chunk forces of any carnivore. Smallest Bear weighing 55 to 143 pounds. Present in South East Asia. 8 to 10-inch long tongue for slurping up insects and honey. 📍Location: The Sun bear is discovered within the forest and shrubland of South East Asia and India. It's the least studied bear and. Its inhabitants is uncertain however considered vulnerable and on the decline as a consequence of lack of habitat and poaching. Sun bears are hunted for his or her gallbladders and other body components used in conventional medicines. 📏 Dimension: They stand solely 39 to 55 inches and weigh fifty five to 143 pounds making them the smallest bear. 👀 Features: Solar bears have strongly curved claws, small rounded ears, and a brief snout. They're named for their pale, horseshoe-formed chest patch that appears like a rising sun. In addition they eat seeds, fruit, birds, and deer. 🌱 Weight-reduction plan: 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.” In truth, they have an incredibly lengthy tongue (8-10 inches) for slurping up insects and honey. Native to South Asia. 😱 Dangerous? Resulting from its shy nature, attacks are uncommon. Lengthy, 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 population of less than 20,000, they are thought of weak. 📏 Dimension: They are fifty five to seventy five inches lengthy and weigh 200 to 300 pounds. 👀 Features: With their long shaggy fur and mane, they are straightforward to inform other than other Asiatic bears. In actuality, they're very quick and might out-gallop humans. European explorers mistook them for sloths after seeing them hanging the other way up from timber. They are noisy, messy eaters tearing up termite mounds with their huge curved claws. 🌱 Weight loss program: Their food regimen consists of termites, ants, and fruit. 😱 Dangerous? They're one of the most aggressive bears, with probably the most assaults on humans, principally resulting from shock encounters. They blow the dust around with big puffs and suck the ants up so loudly they are often heard 600 toes away. Sloth bears stand their floor if threatened and do not mix well with rhinos and elephants, typically charging at each other when in proximity. Solely South American bear. World’s last brief-confronted bear. The name “spectacled” comes from the lighter markings around their eyes that seem like glasses. This weak species of 13,000 to 18,000 remaining bears are discovered in the cloud forests of the Andes from Argentina to Ecuador. 📏 Dimension: They are mid-sized, weighing 175 to 275 pounds, and standing forty seven to seventy nine inches tall. 📍Location: The spectacled bear is the world’s last short-faced bear and the one bear native to South America. 👀 Options: The title “spectacled” comes from the lighter markings round their eyes that typically appear like glasses. They spend most of their time in timber where they build nest platforms, sleep and jealously guard precious fruit and carcasses. 🌱 Weight loss program: Spectacled bears are largely herbivores with a eating regimen consisting of principally cactus, bromeliad, palm hearts, and fruit, however they'll opportunistically eat mammals like rabbits and tapirs. 😱 Dangerous? Dwelling in remote mountains, these shy bears could be the least dangerous of all bear species. Their our bodies are smaller than polar bears but bigger than grizzlies. The Grolar bear (aka Pizzly) is a uncommon hybrid of a polar bear and a grizzly bear that occurs in both nature and captivity. Grolar bear habits is closer to the polar bear. They characteristic the long 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 on the London Zoo in 1859, but haven't been confirmed within the wild. In 1986, a suspected grizzly-brown hybrid was shot however DNA tests were unable to find out what type of bear it was. Adorable koalas usually are not bears, they're burly marsupials. Water bears aren’t bears either, they are indestructible, microscopic animals that may survive in space. Most bear assaults happen when a bear is startled or protecting their cubs. Red pandas? They’re in their own family that are closer cousins with skunks and raccoons than bears. 1. BEWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Watch for bear scat and bear tracks that may point out a bear is close by, wherein case you want to be extra vigilant. Listed here are a few tips you need to use to forestall bear encounters and keep you and your hiking buddies protected. 2. MAKE NOISE. This helps bears know you're right here so they do not 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 prone to really feel threatened when it sees you approaching and defend itself. 3. Safe YOUR SCENTED Gadgets (AT CAMP). In the event you see a bear, do not attempt to method or feed it. This includes meals, but additionally your toiletries, for example. Whichever methodology you choose, be sure that it is at the very least 200 feet away from your tent so you do not entice bears to your campsite. 4. Keep CALM. Should you meet a bear, don't run. Try to make yourself look as massive as doable, waving your panda teddy bear online arms above your head. You can too lengthen a jacket above your head to make your self look larger. Lock these things in a bear canister or use a bear bag to hold them up in a tree. Do not scream or try to scare the bear. 5. USE BEAR SPRAY (AS A final RESORT). Speak to it calmly and slowly back away. Full instruction on how to make use of bear spray here. If the bear is dangerously shut (30 toes) or is charging at you, pull out your bear spray and use it in 1-2 second bursts, aiming slightly downward. 6. Battle Back. If all else fails and a bear assaults you, do not play lifeless. Which bear is the biggest? Averaging 900-1500 lbs, 8.0 to 8.4 toes lengthy, and 4.0 to 5.25 toes tall, the most important bear by each dimension and weight is the polar bear. The biggest ever recorded was 2,200 lbs. Fight back with all your power and hope that it'll again down. Which bear is essentially the most harmful? All bears are dangerous if provoked. Globally, the Asian black bear is known for probably the most attacks. When in bear country, it’s all the time clever to carry bear spray. It’s well deserved, particularly when cubs are around. Every year there are approximately forty six grizzly attacks, 6 resulting in death. In North America, grizzly bears have probably the most fearsome fame. Which bear is the strongest? Whereas you’re most prone to see an American black bear, on average there is just one attack per yr. When it comes to raw chunk energy, measured in Newtons, the polar bear's bite reigns supreme. All bears are strong and to not be messed with. When utilizing the bite pressure quotient (chew power relative to size), the solar bear packs the most punch. Initially named “Hotfoot Teddy”, Smokey Bear was a black bear cub found within the spring of 1950 after a wildfire in New Mexico. He had climbed a tree to escape the fire but sustained burns on his paws and hind legs. Soon after he grew to become an icon and to this day is the star of the longest-working public service announcement marketing campaign. Yogi Bear is an animated bear known for his love of “pic-a-nic” baskets. More importantly Yogi Bear has impressed numerous via-hikers to try and grasp the art of “yogi-ing”, the act of not quite begging but receiving favors from strangers. Baloo s a sloth bear, although he has some traits of the Asian black bear. He's an easygoing, friendly bear who lives a accountability-free life-style. He also may be the first bear to obtain his pilot’s license. Before he was the storybook teddy bear, Winnie the Pooh was a black bear from Canada which the author’s son usually would visit at the London Zoo. Winnie is brief for “Winnipeg,” the town in Canada near where he was from. Chris also wrote How you can Hike the Appalachian Trail. Equal elements backpacking meals and ultralight gear. After through-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to offer quick, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. Get epic tips, guides and how-to's in your inbox every two weeks.