How to tell a Black Bear from a Grizzly Bear
According to Glacier National Park (in Montana):
Grizzly Bear
Range
Widely distributed in mountain and forest areas throughout western Canada and Alaska.
Height
Six feet or more when standing on hind legs; three to four feet when standing on all fours. Weight
Up to 1,400 pounds, usually 300-600 pounds.
Color
Blond to nearly black. Sometimes silvertipped, giving a "grizzled" look.
Other Features
Dished face. Hump of heavy muscle over the shoulders. Claws often four inches long.
Black Bear
Range
Widely distributed in mountain and forest areas throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Height
Two and a half to three feet when standing on all fours.
Weight
Adult males average 220 pounds. Adult females average 140 pounds.
Color
Black, brown, cinnamon, or blond. Color never reliably distinguishes a black bear from a grizzly. Muzzle sometimes a lighter color. Generally appears less massive than the grizzly bear.
Other Features
Profile more "Roman-nosed" and claws much shorter (about one and a half inches long) than the grizzly's.


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