| Photo Information |
Copyright: matija zorc (matijazorc)
![Silver Star Critiquer [C: 32 W: 0 N: 2]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-n.gif) (177) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2006-06-10 |
| Categories: Mammals |
| Exposure: f/4, 1/320 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop |
| Date Submitted: 2006-08-11 5:07 |
| Viewed: 912 |
| Points: 2 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Brown Bears have furry coats in shades of blonde, brown, black, or a combination of those colors; the long outer guard hairs are often tipped with white or silver, giving a "grizzled" appearance. Brown bears have a large hump of muscle over their shoulders which give strength to the forelimbs for digging. Their forearms end in massive paws tipped with extremely powerful claws that can be up to 15 cm (5.9 inches) in length. Unlike the claws of other large predatory animals, such as lions or tigers, the claws are not retractable. This gives the claws a dull edge when compared to other predators. Despite the relatively dull edges to their claws, the sheer force of a blow from a large specimen is devastating. However, these claws are mainly used for digging, not for hunting. It uses its sharp canine teeth for neck-biting its prey when hunting. Bears use the same technique as tigers when hunting: they ambush their prey. Their heads are large and round with a concave facial profile. In spite of their size, some have been clocked at speeds in excess of 56 km/h (35 mph). Along with their strength and deceptive speed, Brown Bears are legendary for their physical stamina. They are capable of running at full speed for miles at a time without stopping. The largest subspecies of the Brown Bear are the Kodiak Bear and Alaskan Coastal Bear. Some exceptionally large male Kodiak stand over 3 m (10 feet) in height while on their hind legs, and weigh about 1,720 lb.Habitat
Once native to Asia, the Atlas Mountains in Africa, Europe and North America [1], brown bears are now extinct in some areas and have had their numbers greatly reduced in others. They prefer semi-open country, usually in mountainous areas.
* The subspecies U. arctos horribilis (the Grizzly Bear) is the common brown bear of continental North America.
* The subspecies U. arctos isabellinus (the Himalayan Brown Bear) is found in the foothills of the Himalaya.
* The subspecies U. arctos middendorffi (the Kodiak Bear) includes bears on the Alaskan islands of Kodiak Island, Afognak Island, Shuyak Island, Admiralty Island, Chichagof Island, Baranof Island, other islands in southeastern Alaska, and along the mainland coast of southeastern Alaska.
* The subspecies U. arctos nelsoni is found in northern Mexico.
* The subspecies U. arctos yesoensis (the Hokkaido Brown Bear) is found on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido |
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