Bear Facts
Did you know...
- Grizzly bears weigh about a half a kilogram at birth, but can weigh around 500 kilograms as an adult.
- Approximately half of the grizzly population of Canada lives in British Columbia (about one-quarter the entire Grizzly population of North America)!
- Female bears are called sows and male bears are called boars.
- When the bears come out of hibernation, they head down to the river lowlands to feed on spring sedge grass, and to the beaches at low tide to feast on crabs, barnacles and muscles. In the fall, bears gorge themselves on the spawning salmon, reportedly catching up to 15 salmon an hour, preparing for their upcoming hibernation.
- Black bear populations are at a historical high in British Columbia right now, with an estimated 120,000 - 160,000 bears.
- Bears have a "personal space" barrier, which varies depending on each bear. They are masters at avoiding contact, even amongst each other. Often they will "huff" at each other as warning, then go their separate ways.
- Bear viewing can take an interesting turn during mating season, from late May to early June.
