Differences Between The Brown Bear And The Grizzly
There are many species of bears, but two in particular bear incredible similarities and make it difficult at first glance to tell them apart. Curiosities that enrich us as people and that bring us closer to the fascinating animal world that we are so passionate about.
Differences between brown bear and grizzly
Where did the idea come from that there were differences between the two species? Apparently a Republican candidate for the United States said that the Russian bear never dies but hibernates. This phrase echoed in Russia, from where the foreign spokeswoman replied: “Except for the grizzly.”
Until then, not much thought had been given to the fact that both animals were different, but it was assumed that they belonged to the same species and that their differences were minimal and not marked enough to be taken into account. But this set off alarms. What conclusions were reached?
Habitat
The brown bear lives in Russia, specifically in wooded areas, although it avoids doing so in those further south. It is an animal that needs the cold, so it always looks for colder areas to inhabit.
On the other hand, the grizzly is a species of brown bear that is already being considered as an independent breed and that lives in the United States, mostly in the Alaska area, although it can be found in many natural parks such as Yellowstone .
Your appearance
The first difference is in their coat since grizzlies have it long and in a grayish tone while in brown bears it is short and brown in color. On the other hand, the former are larger and stronger and can weigh a ton versus the latter, which are smaller and weaker.
Grizzlies are a bit clumsy but very ferocious, brown ones are more agile, calmer and less strong. Grizzlies are believed to be bloodthirsty animals that lay waste to any prey that gets in their way.
In fact, the story of “Goldilocks” is a sample of the attitude that this species of bear has, although we can also get an idea by thinking about some of the films in which one of these specimens has participated.
This is totally contrary to the role of the brown bear in Russian popular culture. Not only do they call it affectionately but it is also part of the national symbolism. In fact, a brown bear was the mascot of the Olympics held in Russia in 1980.
Your diet
Although they are both omnivores, there are differences in the food they eat due to their completely different habitats. But one thing they do have in common, they love salmon! Like all bears …
The difference between the two in this aspect of the diet is that the brown bear is agile and can have access to fruits and berries that are in the highest part of the trees, while the grizzly, given its clumsiness, cannot even dream with that option.
Its tail and its legs
The grizzly’s tail is much shorter than that of the brown bear. It is not very well known what makes it easy or difficult to carry out movements or tasks typical of them, but it is a marked difference that helps us to know what type of bear we are facing.
On the other hand, its claws are differentiated to the naked eye. Those of the grizzly are longer and sharper while those of the brown bear are shorter. This may be due to the ability to hunt that the grizzly has and the reason why it has the ability to tear its prey to pieces.
You see that two animals that are so similar can be very different from each other, you just have to know how to find the similarities and differences that mark one species or another. Do you already think you could tell the difference between the brown bear and the grizzly?
