A Wilder View: Looking at where grizzly bears roam
Until recently little was known about the energy expenditures grizzlies had as they moved around their habitats.
By:
Tanner Saul
and last updated 2021-04-15 14:27:16-04
MISSOULA â A large grizzly bear can weigh up to 800 pounds and for a large animal to take such steps a lot of energy must be used to carry all that weight around. But until recently little was known about the energy expenditures grizzlies had as they moved around their habitats.
Usually, the fattest females produce the fastest-growing cubs that also have the best chance of survival. Similarly, the biggest males do most of the breeding. Therefore, bear foraging and which decision they make on where to walk are probably closely tied to maximizing energy intake while minimizing energy expenditures.