GRIZZLY BEAR
				Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Ursidae Ursus arctos (Brown, Grizzly), Ursus americanus (American Black), Ursus thibetanus (Asiatic Black)

There is uncertainty as to whether there are many species of brown bear or only one species. However, most zoologists now believe there is only one species, of which there are several sub-species.

The European brown bear once roamed all over Europe and Asia, but its European range is now confined to parts of the Pyrenees, Swiss alps, Carpathians, Balkans, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It is approximately 5 to 7.5 feet long (1.5 to 2.4 m) and weighs between 200 to 775 lbs. (91 to 349 kg).

The Grizzly bear is the North American race of brown bear, and is larger than the European race. Like other bears, it was once widely distributed, but is now mostly confined to northern Canada. It is said to have poor eyesight, but its sense of smell is acute. The kodiak bear is the largest of the brown bears, being about 10 feet long (3 m) and weighing 1,540 to 1,760 lbs. (700 to 800 kg). They are mainly found on Kodiak Island, off the coast of Alaska.

Brown bears live in wild, mountainous country, wandering around singly or in a family group. Their home ranges have an average radius of 18 miles (30 km) or more. They are not normall aggressive, but can be very dangerous if aroused. Most attacks are made by injured bears or females separated from their cubs. Grizzly bears have the greatest reputation for fierceness, but the enormous and powerful Kodiak bear is truly terrifying when angry. It is said to be able to kill a horse or an ox with one blow of its forepaw.

Like other bears, brown bears eat a wide variety of both plant and animal food. Among other things they are highly skilled at fishing - standing patiently in shallow water and scooping up fish as they swim by. They are particularly partial to salmon.

Breeding habits are similar to those of the black bear. They mate in June and the cubs are born in January, during the winter sleep. Cubs will weigh in at about 1.1 to 1.5 lbs
(.5 to .7 kg).