Comparison of Grizzles vs Black Bears

Grizzlies vs Black Bears

Looking a black bear in the face.

Looking a grizzly in the face.

Black bear from the side showing rump higher than the shoulder. Also, notice the face is an almost flat line from forehead to nose.

Side view of the grizzly bear. See, the shoulders are higher than the rump. This helps the bear to dig in the dirt and to flip logs and stones.

Black Bear

Characteristics

Rump taller than shoulders
Straight face profile, little to no gap below ruler if put on forehead and nose
Ears larger, more erect, and more pointed
Short dark claws, 1.5 inches

Grizzly Bear

Characteristics

Shoulders taller than rump
Has a somewhat concave profile, with a big gap below the ruler if put on the forehead and nose
Smaller, more rounded ears
Long light claws, 2-4 inches

Bears have supe-smelling abilities. Compared to humans per the National Institute of Health:

An average dog is 100 times better
Bloodhound is 300 times better
Bear is 2,100 times better, or 7 times better than a bloodhound

Bears have been known to make 18-20-mile journeys tracking carrion. Where you or I make a visual map to navigate around us. Bears are thought to make olfactory maps. What a neat skill.

To read more about the grizzly bear, check out this page.