Alaska’s vast wilderness is home to a diverse array of bear species. It supports large and varied bear populations, adapting to environments from dense forests to Arctic tundras. Understanding their characteristics enhances appreciation for Alaska’s natural heritage.
Brown Bears
Brown bears, which include both coastal brown bears and interior grizzlies, are found throughout Alaska, except on some islands and in the far west. These large omnivores possess a prominent shoulder hump, a dished facial profile, and long, non-retractable claws. Their coat colors can vary widely from light blonde to dark brown, often with grizzled tips on their guard hairs.
Coastal brown bears attain large sizes due to abundant food sources like salmon. Adult males can weigh between 700 and 1,500 pounds. Interior grizzly bears, found further inland, are smaller, with males weighing between 400 and 800 pounds. Their diet is highly varied and includes salmon, berries, roots, sedges, carrion, and moose calves.
Black Bears
Black bears are the most widespread bear species in Alaska, inhabiting most forested areas of the state. They typically lack the prominent shoulder hump seen in brown bears and have a straighter facial profile with more pointed ears and shorter claws. Their claws are adapted for climbing trees, which they frequently do.
Despite their name, black bears exhibit a range of coat colors, including black, brown, cinnamon, and a blue-gray known as a “glacier bear.” Adult males weigh between 200 and 400 pounds, while females range from 150 to 350 pounds. Their omnivorous diet consists primarily of plants like berries, nuts, and grasses, supplemented with insects, small mammals, carrion, and salmon.
Polar Bears
Polar bears are specialized predators of the Arctic, adapted to life on or near sea ice in northern and western Alaska. They possess a thick layer of blubber and dense fur, which includes water-repellent guard hairs, providing insulation in extreme cold. Their large, flat paws act like snowshoes for walking on ice and efficient paddles for swimming.
These bears are primarily carnivores, with ringed and bearded seals forming the bulk of their diet. They hunt seals by waiting at breathing holes, stalking them on ice, or breaking into snow lairs. Polar bears are considered marine mammals due to their reliance on marine ecosystems and sea ice for hunting. The reduction of sea ice due to climate change presents challenges to their hunting grounds and survival.
Coexisting with Alaskan Bears
Encountering bears in Alaska’s wild spaces is a possibility, and knowing how to respond promotes safety for both humans and wildlife. Proper food storage is important; all food and scented items should be secured in bear-resistant containers or hung away from camps.
When hiking, making noise helps prevent surprising a bear, especially in dense vegetation or around blind corners. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is an effective deterrent in close encounters. Maintaining a safe distance from bears and never approaching them, even for photographs, is also important.
If a bear is encountered, remaining calm, standing your ground, and speaking in a low voice helps. If a bear charges, most are “bluff charges” and do not make contact. If physical contact occurs in a defensive encounter, playing dead by lying on your stomach and protecting your head and neck is advised. Conversely, if a black bear attacks or any bear exhibits predatory behavior, fighting back is recommended.