Brown Bear

Ursus arctos

The word scatgleb is displayed in lowercase letters with a caron accent above the letter c and the b resembling an upside-down e. The text is in a teal font on a light background.
A large brown bear stands in a lush, green forest clearing, surrounded by tall grass and trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage.

Coastal brown bears and inland grizzlies

North American brown bears, while often called different names, all belong to the same species, Ursus arctos. Coastal populations that rely primarily on salmon and other fish are referred to as coastal brown, whereas inland populations are commonly known as grizzly.

Brown Bear Range

Based on 2016 official IUCN range
A world map showing the brown bears range in dark green, covering parts of North America, Europe, and Asia, primarily in Alaska, Canada, Russia, and northern Europe. Text says Brown Bear Range, Based on 2016 official IUCN range.

Washington’s wild legacy

Washington state was once home to thousands of grizzly bears—today, only a few remain due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Woodland Park Zoo is helping with efforts to recover grizzlies in the remote North Cascades.

Could grizzly bears make a comeback?

Woodland Park Zoo is a member of Friends of the North Cascades Grizzly Bear coalition. What grizzlies need to thrive is the same as what many other species need—healthy wild spaces with clean water and plenty of plants and wildlife for food. We are working with communities and scientists to support the recovery of the North Cascades Ecosystem grizzly bear population.

A large bear stands upright in a snowy field with three bear cubs beside and behind it. The background shows snow-covered ground and trees.

Diet: Brown bears are omnivores and can eat a of variety foods, including fish, insects, berries, fruits, tubers, roots, meat and carrion.

Range: Brown bears live in forests and shrublands across North America, Europe and Asia. The grizzly bear, a brown bear subspecies, can be found in the alpine tundra and high mountain forests of North America.

Global conservation status: Least Concern

Status in Washington state: Endangered

A black bear walks through a grassy, green meadow with wildflowers and shrubs, surrounded by tall grass and scattered plants.

COMPARING BEARS

Brown bears, like the ones you see here, are rarely found in our state these days. Black bears, a smaller species, are much more common in our area.

A solid brown silhouette illustration of a brown bear, shown in profile facing right, with visible details of its paws, fur, and snout.

Brown Bear

You can recognize brown bears by their:

  • Shorter ears
  • Long, pale claws
  • Curved line between forehead and nose
  • Shoulders, which have a tall hump
A brown silhouette of a black bear walking on all fours, facing to the left, with its head slightly lowered and tail visible.

Black Bear

You can recognize black bears by their:

  • Longer ears
  • Short, dark claws
  • Straight line from forehead to nose
  • Rump, which is higher than their shoulders

Bumping into bears

As our population grows and our cities expand, black bears and people come into contact more often. Sometimes conflicts happen— especially when food is involved. Living in the Northwest means we need to make good choices that keep both people and bears safe.

A large brown bear stands on its hind legs, using its mouth and paws to open the lid of a blue plastic garbage bin outdoors, with greenery and other bins in the background.

Coexisting tips

  • Feed your pets indoors to avoid attracting wildlife
  • Clean up your barbecue—don’t leave food scraps or grease behind
  • Don’t put trash cans out on the curb until collection day
  • Don’t let fallen fruit pile up in your yard

These simple steps can help prevent conflicts with bears, coyotes, raccoons and other animals. Living in the Northwest means learning to be good neighbors with wildlife!

A large brown bear stands on grassy ground, facing the camera. Its thick fur is shades of brown, and there are green plants and yellow flowers in the blurred background.
Brown bears (Ursus arctos) live in suitable habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. One North American subspecies of the brown bear is commonly referred to as the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis).

Caring For Bears

Beyond the “bear necessities”

Bears need food, shelter, space–and fun.

Our brown bears live in a complex and interesting space! Permanent features like their stream and pool are supplemented with rotating special snacks, including whole salmon, interesting scents and even an occasional truckload of snow. We carefully observe and monitor how our bears use their large outdoor yard. Tracking activity and behaviors gives us useful data about their health and comfort.

A brown bear sits on large gray rocks with its mouth slightly open, surrounded by blurred green trees in the background.

On clear days, bears enjoy sunbathing on warm rocks. (Don’t you?)

A young brown bear sits in shallow water near rocks and grass, looking toward the camera with its mouth slightly open and one paw raised.

The stream and pool are great places for bears to drink, play and fish.

A large black bear is sleeping on a rocky ledge beside a calm body of water, with its head resting on the ground and the stone wall in the background.

Bears slow down as the days get shorter and cooler in winter. They relish long naps in their cave.

A young brown bear cub leans over a fallen tree trunk, looking down thoughtfully with its head resting on its paws. The background is softly blurred with natural colors.

Bears have an amazing sense of smell. Providing seasonal surprises like berries and unique scents keeps them curious and engaged.

A young brown bear with fluffy fur looks toward the camera, showing its teeth in what appears to be a playful or curious expression. A blurred fence and greenery are visible in the background.
Photo of female bear cub shortly before arriving at Woodland Park Zoo in July of 2022.

Another chance at survival! Stepping up to save a cub and recover a population

Brown bear cubs stay with their mother for two to three years while learning important survival skills. Because they rely on her for food and protection, if orphaned, young cubs are at risk—unable to survive alone in the wild.

At Woodland Park Zoo, a rescued cub gets a second chance at survival, in an environment where they will thrive. While cubs lack the survival skills needed to return to the wild, they are ambassadors for a population in need of our help.