Brown Bear Facts

Since the largest part of my job will be to study brown bears I thought I would share some facts about them with you that you may not know.

1.  They are the largest omnivore.
2.  They have 42 teeth.
3.  They have strong, curved, non-retractable claws.
4.  They strike,dig, and handle with their front paws only.
5.  They are remarkably agile, are fast runners, and move with rhythm and precision.
6.  They are susceptible to disease and pests common to humans.
7.  They have a keen sense of smell.
8.  They have low reproduction rates and spank their young.
9.  They tend to be near sighted and also snore.
10. They are intelligent, curious, clever, self-suffient, easy going and independent.
11. Their hump is a mass of muscle that helps provide digging capabilities.
12. Thier are considered natures healthiest child.
13. Average weight can range from 500 - 900 pounds though the record is 2,500 pounds.
14. The height of an average brown bear is between 3 - 5 feet from ground to shoulder.
15. A brown bear can kill a moose, elk or deer with a single blow to the neck, then carry it great distances in its mouth.
16. A normal heart rate is 98 beats a minute but will drop to 40-45 beats a minute at night.  Heart rates have been recorded as low as 8 beats a minute in bears resting in snow banks.
17.  Bears are hosts to 80 types of parasites both internal and external.
18.  Brown bear cubs can nurse for up to 82 weeks but can be nutritionally independent by 22 weeks.
19.  Brown bear cubs stay with their mothers from 17 - 29 months.
20.  They are a symbol of the American Wilderness.

If you would like to read more about bears, I suggest reading "The Great Bear Almanac" by Gary Brown.