BACKGROUND - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 505

Grizzly bears often cause traffic jams.
Grizzly Bears
Grizzlies, second largest of eight recognized species of bears worldwide (only polar bears
are larger), have disappeared from most of North America but are widespread throughout
the Canadian Rockies, numbering around 300 in the region. Grizzlies are only occasion-
ally seen by casual observers; most sightings occur in alpine and subalpine zones, although
sightings at lower elevations are not unusual, especially when snow falls early or late. The
bears' color ranges from light brown to almost black, with dark tan being the most com-
mon. On average, males weigh 200-350 kilograms (440-770 pounds). The bears eat small
and medium-size mammals, and berries in fall. Like black bears, they sleep through most
of the winter. When they emerge in early spring, the bears scavenge carcasses of animals
that succumbed to the winter, until the new spring vegetation becomes sufficiently plenti-
ful. Females first give birth at four years old, and then every three years, with cubs remain-
ing with their mother for 2-3 years.