Maine does not have grizzly bears. The state is home to another bear species, which thrives in its diverse habitats. This distinction helps in understanding local wildlife.
Grizzly Bear Range
Grizzly bears, Ursus arctos horribilis, once occupied a vast historical range across western North America, from Alaska to Mexico and eastward to the Great Plains. Their preferred habitats included open landscapes, mountains, and forests. Human expansion significantly reduced this range over time.
Currently, grizzly bear populations are primarily concentrated in western North America, including Alaska, western Canada, and fragmented populations in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington. Maine’s environment and geographical location do not align with their typical distribution.
Bears of Maine
The only bear species native to Maine is the American Black Bear, Ursus americanus. Maine boasts one of the largest black bear populations in the lower 48 states, with estimates ranging between 24,000 and 36,000 individuals. These bears are widely distributed across the state, most commonly in northern and eastern regions. Adult male black bears typically weigh between 250 and 600 pounds, while females range from 100 to 400 pounds.
Black bears are highly adaptable forest dwellers, capable of living for up to 30 years in the wild. Their omnivorous diet primarily consists of plant matter like berries, nuts, and fruits. They also consume insects, larvae, and carrion. These bears are excellent climbers, often utilizing trees for safety and foraging.
Identifying Bear Species
Distinguishing between an American Black Bear and a grizzly bear involves observing physical characteristics. A prominent feature of a grizzly bear is a visible shoulder hump, composed of muscle used for digging. The highest point on a black bear’s back, when on all fours, is typically the middle of its back or rump.
The facial profile also offers clues: grizzly bears often have a “dish-shaped” or concave profile from their eyes to their nose, while black bears typically have a straighter profile. Grizzly bears possess longer, straighter, lighter-colored claws (two to four inches), suitable for digging. Black bears, in contrast, have shorter, more curved, dark claws (less than two inches), better adapted for climbing trees. Ear shape can also be an indicator; grizzly bears tend to have smaller, more rounded ears, whereas black bears have larger, more pointed ears. Bear size and fur color are not reliable identifiers due to significant variations within both species.