BEARS
BEAR ENCOUNTERS
• It is important to stand still when initially encountering a bear. Do not run. This can cause the bear to pursue you and they are much faster than you are. You cannot outrun a bear.
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• Give bears their space. Never approach a bear.
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• If a bear appears unaware of you, move away quietly to avoid alerting it to your presence—unless an encounter is imminent.
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• If you are being attacked by a bear and you don't have access to your bear spray, play dead by getting face down on the ground and protecting the back of your neck with your hands.
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• To watch a video about bear encounters, click this link.
BOTH GRIZZLY BEARS AND BLACK BEARS ARE PRESENT IN THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM
GRIZZLIES (Ursus arctos horrilibis)
• These bears are adapted for massive strength, quickness and running speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
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• Grizzlies can live more than 30 years.
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• Twin cubs are born more often than single cubs. Triplets are not uncommon.
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• Female grizzlies are very protective of their young.
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BLACK BEARS (Ursus americanas)
• The range of black bears is broad, expanding from most of Canada down to Mexico, with a high prevalence in the Rocky Mountain states.
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• Black bears are very proficient climbers and are known to sleep in the branches of trees.
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• They are omnivorous, with a diet consisting of leafy plants, grasses, berries, insects, fish and meat.
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• To watch a video about bear identification, click this link.
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• To watch a video about recreating in bear country, click this link.
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• To watch a video about everyday life in bear country, click this link.
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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BEARS IN MONTANA, CLICK THIS LINK.