Identifying bears.

Can you tell the difference?

Being able to distinguish between the two is important for your safety to prevent a conflict and also when you are reporting a sighting.

Black bear.

Grizzly bear.

Let’s get to know our local bears

Ursus americanus and Ursus arctos live in Revelstoke. Do you know which is which and how to tell them apart?

The Black Bear
(Ursus americanus)

We’d like to introduce you to the black bear, the most common type of bear found in and around Revelstoke, and our most active neighbours.

Know your black bears

Hair:

Black bears are usually black, with a lighter-coloured muzzle that has a straight profile. Sometimes they have a white chest patch. Cinnamon-phase black bears are common in this part of British Columbia – about 10% of our local black bears are cinnamons.

Eyes:

Don’t look at them.

WEIGHT:

70 kg to 150 kg (adults).

Extras:

Their ears are large relative to the size of the head. Black bear claws are short and highly curved. They have a longer face profile and no shoulder humps.

Black bears

A young black bear

Cinnamon phase black bear

Adult black bear

The Grizzly Bear
(Ursus arctos)

We’d like to introduce you to the grizzly bear, the largest type of bear in these parts, and the only kind with a shoulder hump and dish face.

Know your grizzly bears

Hair:

Grizzly bears range in colour from dark brown to blonde. Their name comes from the most prevalent fur colouring which is a dark brown hair with a blonde tip.

Eyes:

Don’t look at them.

WEIGHT:

100 to 250 kg (Usually larger than black bears).

Extras:

Grizzlies have a dished-shaped profile (compared to the straight nose of the black bear) with ears that are proportionally smaller than black bears. A prominent shoulder hump of muscle can help distinguish grizzlies at a distance. This muscle mass assists the bear to dig for bulbs and rodents with its long (up to 10 cm), relatively straight claws. Claws will be worn shorter as the summer progresses.