Grizzly bears do not inhabit New Jersey. These large mammals are found in specific regions of western North America, not in the eastern United States.
The Absence of Grizzly Bears in New Jersey
Grizzly bears, a subspecies of brown bear, historically ranged across much of western North America, from Alaska down to Mexico and as far east as the western Great Plains. Their historical distribution included portions of 18 western states, such as Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington.
Grizzly bears require expansive, undisturbed habitats with diverse food sources for their survival. Their diet is highly varied, including plants, insects, fish, and mammals, requiring a mosaic of environments like forests, alpine meadows, and riparian zones. They also need suitable denning sites for hibernation and large, connected areas free from significant human disturbance. New Jersey’s environment, with its denser human population and more fragmented landscapes, does not meet the extensive wilderness requirements of grizzly bears.
New Jersey’s Native Bear Species
New Jersey is home to one native bear species, the American black bear (Ursus americanus). These bears are the largest terrestrial mammals in the state. Black bears primarily inhabit mixed hardwood forests, dense swamps, and forested wetlands, particularly in the northwestern counties of Sussex, Passaic, Warren, and Morris.
The black bear population in New Jersey has been increasing and expanding its range since the 1980s, with sightings now confirmed in all 21 counties. Adult male black bears in New Jersey can weigh, on average, 400 pounds, with some exceeding 600 pounds, while females average around 175 pounds. New Jersey’s black bears are highly adaptable, often coexisting with human development. As of 2020, the estimated population for the region north of Interstate 78 and west of Interstate 287 was approximately 3,158 bears, projected to increase.
Key Differences: Black Bears vs. Grizzly Bears
Distinguishing between black bears and grizzly bears involves observing several physical characteristics. Grizzly bears typically have a prominent shoulder hump, which is a mass of muscle used for digging, while black bears lack this hump, with their highest point often being their rump or middle back. Grizzly bears also possess a dished or concave facial profile, with a clear depression between their eyes and snout, whereas black bears have a straighter, more dog-like facial profile.
Their ears also differ; grizzly bears have smaller, more rounded ears in proportion to their head size, while black bears have larger, more pointed ears. Claw length is another distinguishing feature. Grizzly bears have longer, straighter claws (2 to 4 inches) suited for digging, whereas black bears have shorter, more curved claws (less than 2 inches) that are better for climbing trees. While color can vary widely in both species, with black bears not always being black and grizzlies not always brown, these structural differences are more reliable for identification. In terms of behavior, black bears are generally more cautious and tend to retreat when encountering humans, often climbing trees, while grizzly bears may exhibit more aggressive tendencies, especially if they feel threatened.