Which Is An Ideal Habitat For Grizzly Bears?

Unbeknownst to most people, the grizzly bear is actually a subspecies of brown bears. With an average length of 1.8 meters in length, they are the second-largest flesh-eating creatures in North America, according to National Geographic. 

Yellowstone National Park is home to a plethora of majestic animal species, including whitetail deer, mountain goats, rocky mountain elk, and several different species of Yellowstone bears. 

Grizzly bears habitats

Like all animals, grizzly bears look for habitats that provide the necessary conditions for survival. Specifically, grizzly bears look for a hearty supply of food, solitude, plenty of space, and an ideal place to dig a den in preparation for hibernation. As most of their diet comes from vegetation rather than eating flesh, the omnivorous bears look for areas with diverse plants, insects, and animals. 

The grizzly bear species has been found in several different habitats, including ice fields, high mountain forests, and fringes of deserts. In Europe, grizzly bears prefer mountain woodlands, trending toward tundra environments and coastlines in North America. Generally, grizzly bears look for areas where they can find a dense cover to shelter during the day.

As apex predators, grizzly bears are solitary animals without natural predators. Humans are the grizzly bears’ only predators. 

Grizzly bear movement and population

There was a time grizzly bears roamed desert habitats and the Great Plains, traveling from the western United States to Mexico. Most grizzly bears can be found south of Yellowstone National Park, in Washington, California, and Idaho. Additionally, a significant portion of grizzly bears lives in northern Canada and Alaska. 

Due to overhunting, grizzly bear populations reached a low of 136 in 1975. Federal institutions began conservation efforts to bring the bear populations back from the brink of extinction that same year, and in 2017, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service removed protections from grizzly bears, and the following year, under the Endangered Species Act, a federal judge restored protections for grizzly bears. As of 2019, the grizzly bear population was recorded to be about 728. 

Yellowstone Bear World

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is an ideal environment for several species of bears to live in harmony with grizzly bears. The tall mountains, sloped edges, and sandy soils create ideal conditions for excavating and digging dens. Overall, the conditions in Yellowstone National Park significantly improve the survivability of grizzly bears.

As a drive-thru wildlife park, Yellowstone Bear World allows park visitors to safely interact with black bears and grizzly bears. Families and wildlife enthusiasts can learn more about the bear species within Yellowstone National Park during each tour at any time of the year. Contact Yellowstone Bear World online or by phone at 208-359-9688 to schedule an appointment today.