When people think of bears, they usually think of large brown hulking animals. Brown bears are certainly bears, but they aren’t the only ones out there. Blue bears, black and white bears, and many more exist. In fact, there are nine types of bears in the world!
If you’re interested in learning more about the different types of bears, then keep on reading. From their characteristics to their habitats, this guide has you covered!
What is a bear?
A bear is a mammal from the family Ursidae. There are several types of bears, and they live in different habitats worldwide.
While their appearance can vary per type, bears are generally large, furry animals with four legs. They have small, rounded ears and small tails. Their fur color varies, but they all have short, shaggy hair from their head to paws.
Their specific diets also differ according to where they live, but all bears are omnivores. Most of them are opportunistic eaters, but some will hunt down smaller prey. And it might not seem so, but bears are great runners, climbers, and swimmers.
Their average lifespan in the wild of 20 to 30 years is often spent in their “dens”, which are just caves or logs. Bears in captivity can reach up to 35 years of age.
How many types of bears are there?
There are eight extant types of bears, but there were originally nine species of bears. This guide includes all nine types of bears, including some of their popular subspecies.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) monitors the remaining population of these powerful beasts. According to their list, only two out of eight types of bears are of “Least Concern”. The remaining six species are vulnerable or endangered.
Brown Bear
Scientific Name: Ursus arctos
Among the different types of bears, the brown bear is the most popular. The brown bear is a species that lives in different parts of the world, including parts of Russia, Iran, Asia, and the United States. The brown bear also lives in Finland, where it is also the national animal.
Despite its name, not all types of brown bears are brown. Some of them have reddish fur, while others have two-toned fur. Most brown bears range from 4 ft to 9 ft tall, with distinctly large and long claws. In fact, brown bears stand out as the only bear species that can dig through the soil for root crops.
While all types of bears are omnivores, brown bears mostly eat vegetables. In fact, around 90% of a brown bear’s diet comprises plants like berries, acorns, and mushrooms.
The IUCN currently lists brown bears as Least Concern.
Grizzly Bear
Scientific Name: Ursus arctos horribilis
The grizzly bear is usually what people picture when talking about these fuzzy giants. The grizzly bear is a subspecies of the brown bear that lives in various parts of North America. More than half of its known population lives in Alaska.
Those that live near the coast are usually bigger than those who live inland. On average, grizzly bears are usually 6.5 ft long and weigh around 290 to 400 lbs.
As brown bears, grizzly bears also have brown fur, with darker hair on their legs. White to blond fur usually covers their back, and they also have a muscular hump on their shoulders.
Another name for the grizzly bear is the North American brown bear.
Kodiak Brown Bear
Scientific Name: Ursus arctos middendorffi
The Kodiak brown bear is another subspecies of the brown bear. Also known as the Alaskan brown bear, the Kodiak brown bear lives in the Kodiak Archipelago in southwest Alaska.
It is the largest among the brown bears, and it is one of the two largest among all types of bears. Kodiak bears usually weigh around 660 to 1,300 lbs. Aside from their enormous size, Kodiak bears look like most brown bears. Its fur ranges from brown to blonde, and its diet comprises mostly plants.
The Kodiak bear has a population of around 3,500, which the Alaska Department of Fish and Game closely monitors.
