Grizzly Bear

The grizzly bear is a North American subspecies of the brown bear. They have an average lifespan of 25 years in the wild and can weigh up to 800 lbs. Grizzlies are typically brown, though their fur can appear to be white-tipped, or grizzled, lending them their traditional name.

These awe-inspiring giants tend to be solitary animals but at times they do congregate. In the summer, dozens of bears may gather to feast on spawning salmon along the coast of British Columbia and Alaska.

Grizzlies are powerful, top-of-the-food-chain predators. While much of their diet consists of nuts, berries, leaves, and roots they may also eat other animals, from rodents to moose.

Despite their impressive size, grizzlies are quite fast and have been clocked at 30 miles (48 kilometers) an hour. They can be dangerous to humans, particularly if surprised or if humans come between a mother and her cubs.