Bearable Knowledge for Alaska Infographic
Did you know Alaska is home to all three species of North American bears? Polar, brown, and black bears all call Alaska home and tend to be a lot bigger than bears found in the rest of the U.S. Alaska also has more bears roaming around than any other state, but not so many that they outnumber the resident people population.
Polar bears call the Arctic coast their home and adult males average 600–1200 lbs, while females weigh 400–700 lbs. Polar Bears eat seals, walruses, and whales. In addition to fat, polar bear fur and skin helps them stay warm in the bitter cold. Polar bear fur is actually clear, with no pigment, but refracted light makes it appear white. Beneath this fur, polar bears have black skin, which some scientists believe absorbs sunlight and helps keep the bears warm. They have adapted to life in a coastal marine environment and can swim in the ocean for long distances .
Brown bears occur throughout Alaska except for several small islands. Adult males can weigh up to 1,500 lbs and tend to be 30-50% larger than females. Brown bear fur ranges in color from dark brown to blond. Brown bears are omnivores with diets that can include salmon, berries, grasses, sedges, cow parsnip, ground squirrels, carrion, and roots. They might also add moose or caribou to the menu, if the opportunity arises.
Black bears generally call interior Alaska home, but they also inhabit several islands in southeast Alaska. Mature females weigh 100-250 lbs and males range from 200 to more than 400 lbs, making them the smallest of the three species. Black bears vary in color from jet black to cinnamon brown to white and usually have brown muzzles; some have a white patch on their chest. They are great climbers aided by their claw design and have been known to climb on decks and trees in yards.
2020 data
