Quick answer
The grizzly bear is a large North American subspecies of brown bear, named for the grizzled, silver-tipped fur on its back. Grizzlies are powerful omnivores that can weigh up to 360 kg (800 lb), run as fast as 56 km/h (35 mph), and live around 20 to 25 years in the wild. They hibernate through winter in dens.
Top questions about the Grizzly Bear
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Grizzly Bear facts at a glance
- Weight 360 kg
- Length 2 m
- Top speed 56 km/h
- Lifespan 25 years
| Scientific name | Ursus arctos horribilis |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Forests, meadows, and mountains |
| Lifespan | 20–25 years in the wild |
| Weight | 130–360 kg (290–800 lb) |
| Top speed | 56 km/h (35 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Ursidae |
| Genus | Ursus |
Where it lives
The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is native to Western North America, from Alaska down through the Rocky Mountains. — recorded across North America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a grizzly bear?
An adult grizzly bear measures 2 m long — about 1.2× the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 360 kg, about 5.1× an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of grizzly bears called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Grizzly Bears is called a sleuth. It is also known as a sloth.
Baby name
A baby Grizzly Bear is called a cub.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Diet and feeding
Despite their fearsome reputation, grizzlies are omnivores that eat far more plants than meat. They feast on berries, roots, nuts, insects, fish, and carrion, and famously gather at rivers to catch salmon during the run. In autumn a grizzly may eat for up to 20 hours a day, packing on fat before winter.
Hibernation
Grizzlies spend the harshest months in a den in a state of deep dormancy, living off the fat reserves they built up in autumn. Females give birth during this time, and tiny cubs nurse and grow in the den before emerging in spring. A bear's heart rate and metabolism slow dramatically while it sleeps.
Power and the body
A grizzly is built for strength, with a distinctive shoulder hump of muscle that powers its digging and a bite strong enough to crush bone. Despite their bulk, grizzlies can sprint at 56 km/h (35 mph) over short distances, faster than any human, and they are strong swimmers and capable climbers when young.
Conservation
Brown bears as a whole are listed as Least Concern, but grizzlies were driven out of much of their former range in the lower United States. They survive today mainly in protected areas such as Yellowstone and the northern Rockies, and recovery efforts continue to manage human-bear conflict.
Diet and hibernation
Grizzly bears are omnivores with a hugely varied diet of berries, roots, insects, fish, and mammals. Before winter they enter a feeding frenzy called hyperphagia to build fat reserves, then hibernate for months in a den, during which females give birth to tiny cubs.
Range and behavior
A subspecies of the brown bear, the grizzly once roamed much of western North America but is now concentrated in Alaska, western Canada, and a few areas of the northern United States. Despite their bulk, grizzlies can run up to 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts.
Dig deeper into the Grizzly Bear
- Are Grizzly Bears Dangerous?
Are grizzly bears dangerous? Realistic risk, when incidents rise, and safety basics.
- Grizzly Bear: Key Facts
The grizzly bear is a large North American subspecies of brown bear, named for the grizzled, silver-tipped fur on its back.
- How Fast Is A Grizzly Bear?
Grizzly Bear top speed is about 56 km/h (35 mph). Sprint vs endurance and what limits pace.
- How Long Do Grizzly Bears Live?
Grizzly Bear lifespan is typically 20–25 years in the wild. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Least Concern).
- What Do Grizzly Bears Eat?
What grizzly bears eat: Omnivore, foraging style, and seasonal shifts in Forests, meadows, and mountains.
- Where Do Grizzly Bears Live?
Where grizzly bears live: Forests, meadows, and mountains, native range cues, and human overlap. Status Least Concern.
Explore the Grizzly Bear
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Range & geography
Did you know? Grizzly Bear facts
- The grizzly bear is a large North American subspecies of brown bear, named for the grizzled, silver-tipped fur on its back.
- Grizzlies are a subspecies of brown bear. The name usually refers to inland populations, while coastal brown bears that feed heavily on salmon grow much larger.
- Yes. Grizzlies hibernate through winter for up to five or six months, living off the fat reserves they built up during autumn.
- All grizzlies are brown bears, but not all brown bears are grizzlies. Grizzly refers to the inland North American subspecies, while coastal brown bears that eat more salmon grow larger. The grizzled, silver-tipped fur gives the grizzly its name.
- Grizzly bears can run up to about 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts, which is faster than the fastest human sprinter. You cannot outrun a bear, so wildlife agencies advise other safety measures instead.
- Conservation: Least Concern (IUCN).
Diet & feeding
Grizzly Bear feeds primarily as a omnivore. Despite their fearsome reputation, grizzlies are omnivores that eat far more plants than meat. They feast on berries, roots, nuts, insects, fish, and carrion, and famously gather at rivers to catch salmon during the run. In autumn a grizzly may eat for up to 20 hours a day, p
Adaptations
- Despite their fearsome reputation, grizzlies are omnivores that eat far more plants than meat. They feast on berries, roots, nuts, insects, fish, and carrion, and famously gather at rivers to catch salmon during the run. In autumn a grizzly may eat for up to 20 hours a day, packing on fat before winter.
- Grizzlies spend the harshest months in a den in a state of deep dormancy, living off the fat reserves they built up in autumn. Females give birth during this time, and tiny cubs nurse and grow in the den before emerging in spring. A bear's heart rate and metabolism slow dramatically while it sleeps.
Behaviour & ecology
- Despite their fearsome reputation, grizzlies are omnivores that eat far more plants than meat. They feast on berries, roots, nuts, insects, fish, and carrion, and famously gather at rivers to catch salmon during the run. In autumn a grizzly may eat for up to 20 hours a day, packing on fat before winter.
- Grizzlies spend the harshest months in a den in a state of deep dormancy, living off the fat reserves they built up in autumn. Females give birth during this time, and tiny cubs nurse and grow in the den before emerging in spring. A bear's heart rate and metabolism slow dramatically while it sleeps.
- A grizzly is built for strength, with a distinctive shoulder hump of muscle that powers its digging and a bite strong enough to crush bone. Despite their bulk, grizzlies can sprint at 56 km/h (35 mph) over short distances, faster than any human, and they are strong swimmers and capable climbers when young.
Communication
- Grizzly Bear uses scent, posture, and vocal signals to mark territory and coordinate social behaviour.
- Communication intensity often peaks during breeding seasons and territorial disputes.
Habitat & range
Forests, meadows, and mountains
Ecological role
Grizzly Bear plays a recognised ecological role in forests, meadows, and mountains.
Conservation status of the Grizzly Bear
The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
Main threats to the grizzly bear
- Habitat loss and fragmentation of isolated populations
- Human–bear conflict and persecution
- Unsustainable hunting in some regions
- Infrastructure blocking connectivity
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2017. View the full IUCN assessment .
Frequently asked questions about the Grizzly Bear
What is the difference between a grizzly and a brown bear?
Grizzlies are a subspecies of brown bear. The name usually refers to inland populations, while coastal brown bears that feed heavily on salmon grow much larger.
Do grizzly bears hibernate?
Yes. Grizzlies hibernate through winter for up to five or six months, living off the fat reserves they built up during autumn.
What is the difference between a grizzly bear and a brown bear?
All grizzlies are brown bears, but not all brown bears are grizzlies. Grizzly refers to the inland North American subspecies, while coastal brown bears that eat more salmon grow larger. The grizzled, silver-tipped fur gives the grizzly its name.
How fast can a grizzly bear run?
Grizzly bears can run up to about 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts, which is faster than the fastest human sprinter. You cannot outrun a bear, so wildlife agencies advise other safety measures instead.
Do grizzly bears really hibernate?
Yes. Grizzlies enter a deep winter dormancy for several months, living off stored body fat without eating, drinking, or passing waste. Their body temperature and heart rate drop, and females even give birth during this period.
How big do grizzly bears get?
Male grizzlies typically weigh 180 to 360 kg (400 to 800 lb) and stand around 2 m (6.5 ft) tall on their hind legs. Females are smaller. Coastal brown bears with rich salmon diets can grow even larger.
What do grizzly bears eat?
Grizzlies are omnivores. Their diet is mostly plants such as berries, roots, and nuts, supplemented with insects, fish like salmon, small mammals, and carrion, depending on the season.
What is a group of grizzly bears called?
A group of Grizzly Bears is called a sleuth. It is also known as a sloth.
What is a baby grizzly bear called?
A baby Grizzly Bear is called a cub.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Grizzly Bear:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Ursus arctos horribilis, most recently assessed in 2017.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Ursus arctos horribilis. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Ursus arctos horribilis. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
- IUCN Red List — Ursus arctos horribilis.
Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.
- Animal Diversity Web — Ursus arctos horribilis. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Life history, morphology, and range.
- Wikipedia — Grizzly Bear.
General taxonomy and overview (cross-check primary sources).
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