Brown bears, the largest mammal in the north.
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a large bear with the widest distribution of any bear species.
They are found in the forests and mountains of northern North America, Europe, and Asia.
The main range of brown bears includes parts of Russia, Central Asia, China, Canada, the United States (mainly Alaska), Scandinavia and the Carpathian region (especially Romania), Anatolia, and the Caucasus.
In Spain, the Cantabrian brown bear is increasingly common to see thanks to the conservation efforts that have been carried out; since its population was in clear decline in the Iberian Peninsula.
These bears can be found in many habitats, from the periphery of deserts to high mountain forests and ice fields; where they require dense areas of tree cover in which they can shelter during the day.
There are 16 subspecies of brown bears, including grizzly bears and Kodiak bears.
The brown bear is a naturally long-lived animal. The average life expectancy in nature is about 25 years. The oldest wild brown bear on record was almost 37 years old. The oldest brown bear in captivity has been verified to live up to 47 years, with a captive male possibly reaching 50 years of age.
The brown bear is one of the two largest land carnivores in existence today, rivaled in body size only by its close cousin, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), which is much less variable in size and averages more because of this.
If you go camping in a bear area you should know your neighbor a little better.
The size of brown bears is the most variable of modern bears. The typical size depends on the population it comes from, and most accepted breeds vary widely in size.
The normal range of physical dimensions for a brown bear is a head and body length of 1,4 to 2,8 m (4 ft 7 to 9 ft 2 in) and a shoulder height of 70 to 153 cm (2 ft 4 to 5 inches). ft 0 in).
Adults have heavily built, massive concave skulls, which are large in proportion to the body.
The tail is relatively short, as in all bears, with a length of 6 to 22 cm (2,4 to 8,7 in).
The average weight of adult male bears from 19 populations, from around the world and various subspecies (including large-bodied and small-bodied subspecies), was found to be 217 kg (478 lb), while adult females from 24 populations were an average of 152 kg (335 lbs).
The largest subspecies is the Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi), which commonly reaches sizes of 300 to 600 kg (660 to 1320 lb) and has even been known to exceed 680 kg (1500 lb) in weight on occasion.
Brown bears are often not completely brown. Bears' fur is a long, thick coat, with a moderately long mane on the back of the neck that varies somewhat between breeds. North American brown bears can be dark brown (nearly black) to cream (nearly white) or yellowish-brown in color and often have darker colored paws.
One thing that all brown bears in the world have in common is a hump of muscle on their backs between their shoulders.
Although it may not seem to be very fast thanks to its weight and size, it can represent a great danger to hikers who decide to run away.
His body strength and that of his jaws is notorious. So it is important to avoid contact and take preventive measures.
Omnivore by nature, the brown bear's diet varies from nuts and berries to fish; and of course, the coveted honey from the bees.
Camping in areas where bears live can be dangerous if you don't know how to keep your campsite safe.
Bears and people don't make a very nice combination.
Here are some tips to reduce the chances of bears coming into your camp.
The first thing you should do is register at the visitor center of the national park you are visiting and leave your itinerary. Camp guides are the best source of information about bears in the area and areas to avoid.
Do not venture on unauthorized hiking trails. Animals know which routes are most used by humans, and seek to avoid them.
Depending on the time of year in which you go hiking, the chances of running into one of these majestic animals increases or decreases, especially towards the winter months.
Wild animals generally avoid contact with humans, hence making a little noise and being noticed is a good way to keep them away and avoid getting closer.
If you do hiking with your dog, it is important that you train your dog to face the dangers of an excursion, not only against bears but also against snakes and other wild animals.
It is better to choose sites that are in the open air. Setting up your tent in a deep wooded area gives bears plenty of places to hide and take cover as they stalk from afar.
Are you in an area where bears may be feeding on nuts or berries? Are you near the hunting trails? If so, skip the site and find another.
Once you find a spot that seems free of bear activity, part with your food.
The smell of bears and the food of campers: Bad combination
Most national parks require backcountry campers to properly hang their food out of reach of bears. Many backcountry campsites offer hanging poles for this purpose.
A rope should be placed so that it runs between the two tall trees, in the same way that a clothesline runs between the poles. Tie your food to the second rope.
Next, take this rope and throw the free end up and over the rope that runs between the two tall trees. This will allow you to lift the food so that it hangs between the two trees well above ground level. Tie the root securely to a tree branch or tree trunk, to keep food securely in place.
If you are camping in an area that does not have tall trees, it is recommended that you place your food in many layers of resealable plastic bags. This will help reduce the odor. Then take your food and place it somewhere several hundred feet away from your camp.
It is preferable to take dehydrated food, not only because it is lighter to carry but also because you can carry it in packages more easily.
If you are a dedicated hiker buy suitable gear. In specialized stores or on eBay you can buy anti-bear packaging. They seal the food completely, are almost unbreakable, and have a safety mechanism to prevent them from being easily opened.
When it's time to cook, don't cook anywhere near where you've set up your tent. Food odors can get into your tent from the food itself and from the smoke coming from the stove/grill and get trapped for a long time attracting these unexpected visitors.
Do not throw food at campfire, as the unburned remains will attract these keen-smelling animals.
Try not to cook too much food. You should only cook what you are going to eat.
Garbage and waste must be collected in hermetic bags and taken with you when leaving the park. Don't allow wild animals to get used to the waste, as they will see the hiker as an easy and attractive way to feed.
Frequently asked questions from our readers:
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Iberian fauna cantabrian brown bear Bears Hiking
Last modified: 2024-11-06T03:30:37+11:00
