Brown bear fact # 1 – Scientific classification
The brown bear is a mammal and therefore a part of the class Mammalia. It belongs to the order Carnivora and the family Ursidae (the bear family). Together with the Polar bear, the American black bear and the Asiatic black bear, the Brown bear makes up the genus named Ursus. Its scientific name is Ursus arctos.    
 
Brown bear fact # 2 – Weight
The size of the Brown bear varies depending on sex and habitat. The males are considerably larger than the females. The biggest brown bears can be found along the southern Alaskan coastline and nearby islands. In this region, the average male brown bear will weigh 389 kilograms and the average female 207 kilograms. This is however only average numbers and individual brown bears can grow much heavier. Several males have been caught in this region that weighed around 780 kilograms.

Brown bear facts # 3 – Colouration
The fur of the brown bear is usually of a dark brown colour, but the exact coloration varies from specimen to specimen and will also depend on geographical location. It can be cream coloured as well as nearly black. In the Rocky Mountains you can for instance find Brown Bears with white long hairs that decorates shoulders and back and give them a grizzled appearance, hence the name Grizzly Bear.

Brown bear facts # 4 – Mating
Both male and female brown bears become ready to mate when they are 4-6 years old.
The mating period lasts from ten to thirty days and it is not uncommon for the males to fight over the females and guard the females against other males during this time. Despite these efforts, the female brown bear will often mate with several males during each mating period.

Brown bear fact # 5 – Brown bear cubs
Adult female brown bears typically give birth to two or three cubs every 2-4 years. The gestation period for the brown bear varies from 180 to 266 days. The female Brown bear will nurse her cubs until they are 18-30 months old. They become independent when they are 2-3 years old.

Brown bear fact # 6 – Communication
Brown bears are equipped with an excellent sense of smell. They will not only use this ability to find rotting carcasses or locate prey; they will also use it to communicate with each other. Brown bears scratch themselves on trees, shrubs, stones and other landmarks to leave a scent mark for other Brown bears to find. By sniffing the scent of another Brown bear, the bear can find out important brown bear facts like reproductive status. The scent marks are also used to mark territorial boundaries. The brown bear's sense of hearing is about as sensitive as that of a human, and Brown bears will use various forms of sound to communicate. If you listen carefully, you can hear the Brown bears making moaning noises.

Related articles:

Black Bear
Black Bear Attack
Black Bear Facts
Black Bear Hunting
Brown Bear
Brown Bear Habitat
Brown Bear hunting
Panda Bear
Giant Panda Bear
Panda Bear Facts
Panda Bear Information
Panda Bear Habitat
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear Attacks
Grizzly Bears In Alaska
Grizzly Bear Habitat
Koala Bears
Koala Bear Facts
Polar Bear
Polar Bear Baby Cubs
Polar Bear Fact
Polar Bear Informtion
Polar Bear Habitat