Knowra Grizzly bear Grizzly bear The grizzly bear is an inland North American population of brown bears, often recognized by pale-tipped guard hairs that give its coat a grizzled appearance.
Brown bear : A widespread bear species, Ursus arctos, whose populations vary greatly in size, color, and ecology. Grizzlies are North American brown bears, not a separate species.
Hyperphagia : A period of unusually intense eating that helps an animal accumulate energy reserves. Before winter, grizzlies increase food intake to build fat for denning.
Grizzly bear recovery : The coordinated conservation effort to restore grizzly bear populations and secure their habitat in the contiguous United States. Recovery programs target isolated populations, habitat connectivity, and human-caused mortality.
Keystone species : A species whose ecological effects are disproportionately large relative to its abundance. Grizzly feeding and carcass use can influence other species and ecosystem processes.
Bear : A large mammal in the family Ursidae, characterized by a stocky body, plantigrade feet, and powerful limbs. Grizzlies belong to the bear family and share its basic anatomy.
Salmon run : The seasonal migration of salmon from the ocean into freshwater streams to spawn. In some regions, salmon runs provide grizzlies with concentrated, energy-rich food.
Bear-resistant food storage : Containers and practices designed to keep bears from accessing human food and waste. Preventing food rewards reduces dangerous encounters around camps and settlements.
Seed dispersal : The movement of seeds away from the parent plant, enabling plant reproduction and range expansion. Seeds can pass through grizzlies or travel in their fur after bears eat fruit.
Omnivory : A feeding strategy that includes foods from both plant and animal sources. Grizzlies shift among vegetation, insects, fish, and mammals as foods become available.
Kleptoparasitism : The acquisition of food by taking it from another animal that has already obtained it. Grizzlies sometimes displace other bears or predators from carcasses and feeding sites.
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