An Introduction to the Grizzly Bear

Going bear watching in Canada? Here are some basic facts about the magnificent grizzly bear to take on board before you go.

If you're heading off on a bear watching tour in Canada, you should arm yourself with as much information as possible before you go. Although an expert guide will accompany you on the bear watching tour, having some basic facts at your disposal is always a good idea. 

 Introducing the Grizzly Bear 

 The Grizzly is actually a subspecies of the Brown Bear, which populates the west of Canada and the north west of the United States. It stands as tall as 2.5 metres and a fully-grown male adult can weigh 360kg. 

 Sustenance to Live 

 These animals have very cleverly adapted to their environment, and throughout the changing seasons their behavior changes to accommodate the conditions. In the warmer months, they eat plenty to stock up their body’s supply of fat so throughout the winter, when they are hibernating, they will have enough energy to survive. A daily feed may equal up to 40kg of food and lead to a weight gain of 1kg over 24 hours. What is most interesting is that they actually get most of their nutrition not from huge amounts of meat, but from nuts, fruit, leaves, insects, and roots. Small animals, such as sheep and rodents as well as fish also make up a small part of their diet. When food is scarcer, they will dig into the ground with their long claws and make good use of their strong shoulder muscles and you may see evidence of this throughout the duration of your bear watching tours. 

 Shelter for Hibernation 

 The bears inhabit their dens during the winter months and fall into a deep sleep in order to conserve as much energy as possible to see them through. Their heart rate slows down to just eight beats per minute, and if a female is pregnant during this time, she can even give birth in her sleep. 

 Skills for Survival 

These animals have huge physical and mental strength. They are intelligent, have good memories, and their sense of smell is so good they can detect food from quite a distance away. They also run fast and can swim very well and the young can also climb trees.

Grizzly Bears are, unfortunately, on the threatened wildlife list. Despite being so powerfully equipped, they are no match for the threat incurred from humans. With increased logging encroaching on their habitat and coming into conflict with humans through no fault of their own, their survival is in jeopardy. However, much is currently being done to try to reverse these negative effects and bear watching tours are an excellent way to raise awareness and educate people with regards to their plight.


Thank you to Marissa Ellis-Snow who is a freelance nature writer. 

The Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming - A Great Vacation and Travel Destination

The Grand Tetons National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming and it offers visitors a view of many different species of wildlife in additional to amazing mountain views. The Teton mountain range rises more than 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole valley and creates a backdrop that is awe inspiring and absolutely beautiful. The park’s elevation ranges from 6400 feet on the valley’s floor to an amazing almost 14,000 feet on the summit. The mountains are covered in forests and the Snake River makes its way through the valley.

During the winter, Jackson Hole is freezing and full of snow and bitter cold. The coldest temperature on record is –63°F in the Grand Teton National Park and that is certainly too cold for most visitors to bear. When the weather is cold, but not too cold, visitors will appreciate the beautiful snow covered landscape that usually lasts from November through April. During the summer the weather is warm and plants and flowers cover the park.

There are more than 60 mammal species in the park, including six different types of game fish and 300 bird species. The American elk also calls the Grand Teton National Park home and is the most common of all the deer family found here. The elk can be seen during the summer time looking for food high in the mountains. During the winters most of the elk will descend to the floor of the valley or migrate to the National Elk Refuge.

Visitors will enjoy many different things in the Grand Teton National Park kayaking, climbing, camping, boating, hiking, and more. Not to mention the many photographic opportunities that exist for photographers in the park. Many visitors choose to explore the park by taking one of its many trails and this is a great way to experience the Tetons and get exercise, too.

The Park is headquartered at Teton Park Rd, Moose, Wy, 83012. Admission rates vary and can be seen at www.nps.gov/grte. There truly is no better vacation than one spent in the Grand Tetons National Park for the simple reason that the mountains are so spectacular and the wildlife unbelievable that you will create memories to last a lifetime. You truly can get in touch with nature when you visit the Grand Teton National Park so if you are heading to Wyoming it is a trip that is totally worthwhile.

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url: http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com


By Robert W. Benjamin

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business since the 1970's on the C64, AMIGA, and WINDOWS Computer Systems. He has won magazine awards for the 'Game of the Month', and more, in several European computer magazines.