Brown Bear vs Grizzly Bear: How to Tell Them Apart

Brown bears and grizzly bears are not two different species. They are the same animal with different regional names based on geography and appearance. Both belong to the scientific species Ursus arctos, the North American brown bear. The naming confusion developed because bears in different regions have different characteristics. Coastal bears in Alaska and British Columbia tend to be much larger. These larger coastal bears are typically called brown bears. Interior and mountain bears in the lower 48 states tend to be smaller. These smaller inland bears are typically called grizzly bears. However, these names describe the same species with slightly different sizes due to food availability and environment, not two completely different species. DNA testing confirms that brown bears and grizzly bears are genetically identical and belong to the same species. The main difference between them is diet and habitat. Coastal bears eat more salmon and marine mammals, which makes them larger. Inland bears eat more plant matter and small animals, so they stay smaller. Check /wildlife/wyoming/grizzly-bear for grizzly information.

The most dramatic difference between brown bears and grizzly bears is size, which reflects their different foods. Coastal brown bears are among the largest land carnivores in North America. A large male coastal brown bear can weigh 1,000 to 1,500 pounds. Some exceptional males weigh even more. Coastal female brown bears weigh 300 to 700 pounds. This large size is possible because coastal bears have access to abundant salmon. During salmon season, a coastal bear can catch dozens of salmon daily. This rich protein source allows them to grow very large. Grizzly bears living in the interior mountains are noticeably smaller. An average male grizzly weighs 200 to 800 pounds, with most males in the 400 to 600 pound range. A female grizzly typically weighs 150 to 400 pounds. This smaller size reflects their inland diet. Interior grizzlies must forage for berries, dig for roots, and hunt small mammals. This food is less abundant and nutritious than salmon. The interior mountains cannot support the density of bears that coastal regions can. Grizzlies must range over larger territories to find enough food. Learn more about grizzly bears at /wildlife/alaska/grizzly-bear.

Although brown bears and grizzly bears are the same species, several physical features differ between coastal and inland populations. The shoulder hump is the most distinctive feature of grizzly bears. Grizzlies have a pronounced shoulder hump that rises noticeably above their hip level. Brown bears have this hump too, but it is less pronounced. The facial profile differs between the two. Grizzly bears have a shorter snout and a dished or concave face profile. Brown bears have longer, straighter snouts and less dished faces. When you look from the side, a grizzly's snout curves down more sharply. The ears also differ in appearance. Grizzly bears have taller, more pointed ears that stand out prominently from their head. Brown bears have smaller, more rounded ears that seem to sit closer to the head. Claw length is another difference. Grizzly bears have longer claws, typically 3 to 4 inches long. Brown bears have shorter claws, usually 2 to 3 inches. These longer claws help grizzlies dig for roots and small animals. Brown bears use their shorter claws for handling fish and smaller tasks. Color varies within both groups but is not a reliable identifier by itself.

Brown bears and grizzly bears occupy different geographic ranges across North America, which is why the naming distinction developed. Brown bears are primarily found in coastal areas. The largest populations live in Alaska along the coast and river valleys. Coastal British Columbia also has significant brown bear populations. In the continental United States, a tiny population exists in northern California and Oregon. These coastal bears are called brown bears because they live in that coastal brown-bear habitat. Grizzly bears are found in the interior mountains and wilderness areas. The main US grizzly populations live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Northern Continental Divide. Grizzlies are found in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and parts of the northern tier states. These inland bears are called grizzly bears because they live in that grizzly-bear territory. The ranges are now completely separated. Coastal bears and inland grizzlies do not overlap, which has let each population adapt to its environment. The geographic separation led to slightly different appearances, but they are still the same species. Visit /wildlife to learn about regional bear populations.

The different names and appearances of brown bears and grizzly bears directly result from their different diets and food sources. Coastal brown bears have access to salmon during spawning seasons. This incredible food source provides massive amounts of protein and fat. A brown bear can catch and eat dozens of salmon daily during peak season. This abundant, easy-to-obtain food allows coastal bears to grow larger. Brown bears also hunt marine mammals like seals and beluga whales. They eat vegetation, berries, and other land foods too. But salmon is their primary food source and the reason for their large size. Grizzly bears living inland cannot rely on salmon. While some grizzlies in northern areas can access salmon during parts of the year, most grizzlies have very limited salmon availability. Instead, grizzlies must dig for roots, bulbs, and ground squirrels. They feast on berries when in season but must find other foods the rest of the year. Grizzlies occasionally hunt deer, elk calves, and other large animals. They must work much harder for each meal than coastal brown bears. This constant foraging for scarce food keeps grizzlies smaller and more spread out across the landscape. Explore grizzly bears in Wyoming and other interior regions. The diet difference is the primary reason for size variation.

Several myths surround the distinction between brown bears and grizzly bears. The biggest myth is that they are two completely different species. They are not. They are one species with two regional names based on geography. Another myth is that you can identify a brown bear or grizzly by color alone. Color is not reliable. Both brown bears and grizzly bears can be brown, black, cinnamon, or blonde colored. A dark brown grizzly and a brown-colored brown bear may look identical in color. The shoulder hump and facial profile are much better identifiers than color. A third myth is that grizzlies are more aggressive because they are different from brown bears. While grizzlies can be more defensive, this relates to their habitat and experience with humans, not their species. Coastal brown bears rarely encounter humans and are less defensive. Inland grizzlies in remote wilderness areas may be more wary. A fourth myth is that brown bears are better swimmers than grizzlies. Both are good swimmers given they are bears. Coastal bears swim more often, but grizzlies can swim too. The final myth is that you can identify them by how they run or move. Both use the same basic movements.