Quick answer
A grizzly bear can reach about 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (130–360 kg (290–800 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
Key takeaway
A grizzly bear can reach about 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (130–360 kg (290–800 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
Grizzly Bear top speed
Published estimates put grizzly bear speed near 56 km/h (35 mph). These are usually peak sprint figures, not cruising speeds held for long distances across Forests, meadows, and mountains.
Sprint versus endurance
Most animals accelerate hard for capture or escape, then recover. Open ground favours higher recorded speeds; dense cover favours agility over raw pace.
Anatomy behind grizzly bear speed
Limb proportions, muscle fibre mix, and mass (130–360 kg (290–800 lb)) shape acceleration and top end. Heavier individuals may hit hard but tire sooner.
Reading speed claims
Methods differ (radar, filming, anecdote). Prefer ranges from recent field studies over viral single numbers, and never try to outrun wildlife.
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.
Sources
Grizzly Bear FAQs
How fast is a grizzly bear?
A grizzly bear can reach about 56 km/h (35 mph) in short bursts. Terrain, motivation, and body condition (130–360 kg (290–800 lb)) all change the number you would measure.
What is the scientific name of the grizzly bear?
Ursus arctos horribilis — used in research and conservation listings for grizzly bears.
What do grizzly bears eat?
Grizzly Bears are described as omnivores, with seasonal and regional variation in Forests, meadows, and mountains.
Where do grizzly bears live?
They are associated with Forests, meadows, and mountains. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of grizzly bears?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.