Idaho’s diverse ecosystems provide a home for various bear species. Understanding these species offers insight into their behaviors and preferred environments.
Idaho’s Black Bears
The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is the most commonly encountered bear species throughout Idaho. These omnivores exhibit a wide range of colors, including black, brown, cinnamon, and even blond. Adult males typically weigh between 150 and 250 pounds, though some can exceed 500 pounds, while females usually range from 100 to 150 pounds. Black bears possess short, curved claws well-suited for climbing trees. They lack a shoulder hump and have a straighter, more dog-like facial profile with larger, more pointed ears.
Their diet is highly varied and adapts seasonally, consisting primarily of plant matter such as berries, fruits, roots, and grasses, alongside insects and occasionally small mammals or carrion. Black bears are generally solitary and shy, often retreating from human presence. They are widely distributed across most of Idaho’s forested and mountainous areas, particularly abundant in the northern and central regions, with an estimated population of 20,000 to 30,000 individuals.
Idaho’s Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis), a subspecies of brown bear, are also found in Idaho, though their presence is far more localized and their population significantly smaller than that of black bears. These larger bears typically weigh between 200 and 600 pounds, with some males reaching over 700 pounds. They have a distinct muscular hump on their shoulders, a “dished” facial profile, and shorter, rounded ears. Their claws are longer and straighter, measuring two to four inches, adapted for digging rather than climbing.
Grizzly bears are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in the lower 48 states, including Idaho. Their distribution in Idaho is confined mainly to the northern Panhandle, specifically the Cabinet-Yaak and Selkirk mountain ranges, and the eastern border within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. While grizzlies are omnivores, their diet can include larger prey and carrion.
Distinguishing Characteristics and Habitats
Differentiating between black bears and grizzly bears in Idaho requires careful observation of several key physical traits, as fur color is highly variable in both species and not a reliable indicator. The most prominent distinction is the grizzly bear’s muscular shoulder hump, which is absent in black bears. Grizzly bears also typically exhibit a concave or “dished” facial profile, contrasting with the straighter, more dog-like profile of black bears. Ear shape provides another clue: grizzlies have comparatively smaller, rounder ears, while black bears possess larger, more pointed ears. Finally, their claws differ significantly; grizzly claws are long and gently curved, adapted for digging, whereas black bear claws are shorter and more sharply curved, ideal for climbing trees.
In terms of habitat, black bears are widely distributed across most forested areas of the state, demonstrating adaptability to various environments. Grizzly bears, however, are found in more restricted, remote areas, primarily the northern Panhandle and eastern Idaho near Yellowstone National Park.