Wild Windows · Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
One of the largest land carnivores on Earth, with coastal Alaskan populations sometimes exceeding 600 kg. Highly intelligent and adaptable, brown bears range from the high Arctic to the Mediterranean. The most famous populations gather at Alaska's Brooks Falls each summer to catch migrating sockeye salmon.
Natural History
Habitat
Tundra, boreal forest, temperate rainforest, alpine meadows, and coastal salmon streams across the Northern Hemisphere.
Diet
Omnivorous: grasses, roots, berries, salmon, ungulates, ground squirrels, and carrion. Coastal populations gain enormous weight during salmon runs.
Lifespan
20 to 30 years in the wild.
Behavior
Generally solitary except for mothers with cubs and concentrated salmon-run gatherings. Mothers fiercely defend cubs for two to three years. Hibernate for up to seven months in colder ranges.
Classroom Facts
Live Cameras
Each listing shows its current source, permission, and playback-verification state.
Use This With
Printable, photocopy-friendly, designed by educators. Pair them with any cam featuring this species.
A printable deck of illustrated identification cards for the mammals featured across Wild Windows cams — common name, scientific name, conservation status, range, and a standout fact. Cut them out for a sorting activity or a matching game.
