The Grizzly bear lives all over Alaska and in some parts of Canada and Montana. The biggest Grizzlies live in Alaska and they can be the most dangerous animals.

The bear's body looks very large in size because of it s loose skin. Its large head also makes the bear look very large. Bears' eyes are very small, and they cannot see very well. Although they have small ears, they can hear very well and they can also smell very well. That is why you have to watch your fish over the summer so the bears can't get to them.

The bear's legs are very short, strong and they also have big feet. So if you are running from a bear you'd better watch out because if the bear swings its arms it could kill you in an instant. The bear has four pair of legs and the five toes on each paw have long, heavy claws. The bear uses its claws to dig out a den,for food, and to tear its prey. The claws in the front are longer than those on the back feet. The claws on a large bear could be as much as 6 inches long. They do not retract into sheaths like those of Black bears.

The bear's walk is very different from that of other kinds of animals. Most animals walk and run on their toes, but the bear puts its whole foot on the ground. The bear usually moves very slowly and drags its feet. The hind feet of a bear are 12 to 16 inches long.

The bear's teeth are very large. They eat both plants and meat and are called omnivores. Their teeth are made to eat plants and meat. Most bears eat both meat throughout the year, but three-four month olds only eat plants. The front teeth are large canine and smaller incisors. They are used for catching and killing the prey. The back teeth are called molars. They are flat and used for chewing and grinding the food.

The bear's skeleton looks more like that of a dog. That is why they are related to the dogs, wolves, and foxes. The only difference between the bones of a bear and a dog is the weight. Here is a picture below that shows you the skeleton of a grizzly bear.

On the next page is a picture showing you how big bear may look. You can see what makes the bear look so large. The head, thick layer of skin and fur makes him look mean and vicious.

Bears are very strong and that is why they are considered a predator. In fact, they are one of the strongest and fastest animals in the world. They are fast enough to catch a horse and can run up to 35 miles an hour. They grow about nine feet long and weigh over 1,500 pounds.

The body of a bear is fascinating. And the bigger the bear the more interesting it is. I think it is the most interesting animal in the world. It has the body of a beast and the mind of a king.

By: Tina Papp

References:

The World Book Encyclopedia, 1985

Zoobook, "'Bears". Kitson, Kenneth. 1991