![]() On average, females weigh 10% less than males. Grizzly bears can range from 3 feet to 9 feet (1-2.8 m) in length from head to tail. ![]() Sometimes they will sleep for several days in the colder months. At Denver Zoo, the bears are given the option to sleep as much as they would like or need to. Food is available to them year-round so they don’t need to survive on fat reserves. Bears in managed care settings like zoos, don’t usually hibernate.While hibernating, they do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate. During hibernation, they slightly reduce their body temperature and significantly reduce their heartbeat and respiration rate. During this time, grizzly bears survive on stored fat reserves built up during the spring and summer. Due to the scarcity of food during the cold winter months, grizzly bears hibernate to survive.They also have massive skulls and strong jaw muscles that enable them to eat a varied diet. Bears have large canines and smaller incisors for catching and killing prey, as well as large molars (broad flat teeth in the back of the mouth) that are used for crushing and grinding plant-based food.Grizzly bears can run up to 40 mph for short distances.Bears also communicate by scent marking on trees and bushes including with their urine and feces. Grizzlies have a large snout and nose with a sharp sense of smell to help them sniff out food.The knowledgeable biology staff can share insights about each species, with special programs, lectures, and feedings.īears typically hibernate from November to April, though there may be bursts of activity on the edges of hibernation. Both are home to black and brown bears, and the zoo is also home to several polar bears as well. For guaranteed wildlife views, check out the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center or Alaska Zoo. If a trip out to one of these locations isn’t in the cards, you can still get a good look at bears. Bears are everywhere in Alaska, so you there’s a chance to spot them on other types of trips like flightseeing tours, ATV rides, or even day cruises. Many companies offer bear viewing in these and other areas. Still not sure which spot to pick for your trip? Ask the pros. Applications are due on March 1, with winners picked and notified later that same month. Access to McNeil is strictly controlled to preserve the area a lottery determines who can visit for the season. Guided trips and unguided visits to McNeil from June to August are incredibly sought after. With advance planning and a little luck, McNeil River State Game Sanctuary is an incredible trip. From the end of July through September, Crescent Lake is one of the best spots in the huge park, and again, visitors are usually looking for bears from an open boat. Lake Clark National Park is a solid bet for late summer. Visits are self-guided, with park service rangers on site to help and keep things running smoothly. Bear viewing here includes walking on relatively flat paths and platform views. If you’ve ever seen video of a bear snapping up a salmon atop a rushing waterfall, it was likely filmed at Brooks Falls. Katmai and the iconic Brooks Falls is best in July. Typically, Redoubt Bay visitors watch bears from a covered boat on the lake, with an expert guide alongside. Redoubt Bay’s best bear activity is from June through August. Bear viewing is on foot with the aid of ATVs and towed trailers to cover longer distances. ![]() Beach grasses, salmon, and even shellfish dug up on the Cook Inlet coast are each favorites for bears as the months shift. From mid-May to mid-September, bears are active, moving between the area’s rich food sources. If you are looking for bear viewing worthy of a wildlife documentary, pick the spot where the fish are running during your visit.Ĭhinitna Bay is a good bet all summer long. Salmon runs are a key reason bears congregate in such high concentrations (but certainly not the only reason). The best bear viewing really depends on your dates. The key consideration in picking a spot is timing. Iconic spots like Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, Lake Clark National Park, Redoubt Bay, and McNeil River are all a short float plane flight from the city, and many air services can get you there for a day of unrivaled access. Some of the most incredible bear viewing in Alaska is near Anchorage. Where is the best bear viewing in Alaska? ![]()
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