Grizzly Bear - Ferocious Vegetarian

The grizzly bear is a North American subspecies of the brown bear, however, differs from it by a number of parameters. First, the American is much larger, stronger, but at the same time more clumsy than the European bear. Its wool is somewhat darker, the pile is longer and more fluffy. The tail is shorter, but what claws! Up to 13 centimeters long, and bent like an eastern dagger! The bear itself amazes with its size: if it rises to its hind legs, it will reach three meters in height. For comparison: the brown inhabitant of European forests barely has an increase of 2 meters (the largest specimen is 2.2 m). The grizzly weighs more than half a ton.

Inhabits the American potapich in the forests and mountain valleys of Alaska, British Columbia and Canada. From European bears the grizzly bear is characterized by shorter ears, a flat and broad skull, convex bones of the nose. He is also more clumsy, clumsy, swaying and swaying. Only as a bear cub, grizzly climbs for the sake of fun; Growing up, he leaves such physical exercises. But he is not afraid of water and swiftly crosses the rapacious rapids of the Alaska River. Like all bearish, he falls into hibernation.

This species of large animals has long been famous for its ferocious and aggressive predator. Even his Latin name, Ursus Horribilis, is translated as "a terrible bear". However, in a more detailed study it turned out that the grizzly bear is predominantly a vegetarian. It feeds on fish, and also vegetative food - cereals, berries, and honey. However, sometimes, in areas with scant vegetation, there are also meat eaters who attack large animals. But the percentage of meat eaters to vegetarians is 1 to 99.

During his history of a difficult relationship with a man, the grizzly bear was on the verge of extinction, but fortunately, the measures taken in time helped preserve this species for descendants. In the past, these animals were cruelly exterminated and even considered a reward for the head of every dead beast. They were hounded by dogs, made traps, threw poisoned bait. As a result, the grizzly became less and less, they became more cautious and preferred to go further and further into the deserted places. Now they are listed in the International Red Book. Measures to protect the population have borne fruit: if in 2000, only 250 animals lived in the reserves of Mount McKinley, Yellowstone and Glacier Park, then in 2005 there were 600 of them.

In the north, there may be different types of grizzlies. This bear, as it turned out, can mate with the white polar, and in this case there is such a hybrid that adopts gastronomic tastes of white relatives. Why is the usual North American giants - in the overwhelming majority of vegetarians and fish eaters - such fame is fixed? A dangerous and ferocious beast does it ... poor eyesight. Usually such an animal, having scented a person, will try to avoid meeting with him. It can successfully confuse the track, return, make calls to the side, to bring down the possible pursuer. Faced suddenly face to face, the beast is frightened. However, seeing its obvious superiority in size, desperately rushes into the attack. Attacked mostly injured animals or those who are worried about their young. So, in 1987 in Canada, a bear killed two women who had found a cub and decided to play with him.

Decades of careful protection of the species led to the fact that the grizzlies again began to attack people. However, now their victim is not hunters, but tourists who feed animals, despite the ban. The big bear is accustomed to perceive a person as a source of handouts, a certain waiter who brings food, and began to personally come to the tents and go out to the roads. Fear of a person protected by the law, individuals have long lost, and arrogance gathered enough to demand offerings. If the treats do not, or it did not have to taste, or it was not enough, the grizzly can fall into a rage and attack.