A cinnamon coloured black bear.
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There are two species of bears in the Columbia Mountains and they are both widespread throughout British Columbia. Being able to distinguish between the two is important when deciding how to contend with an encounter.
Black bears are usually black, with a lighter coloured muzzle and sometimes with a white chest patch. Cinnamon coloured black bears are common in this part of British Columbia. Most adult black bears range from 70 kg to 150 kg. Their ears are large relative to the size of the head. Black bear claws are short and highly curved, which makes them ideally suited to climbing trees. Having evolved in forested environments, they typically resort to climbing trees when threatened.
Grizzlies have a dish shaped head and relatively
small ears.
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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 blond tip. On average these bears are larger than black bears, typically ranging from 100 to 250 kg. Much larger specimens are known on the Pacific coast where bears have access to salmon runs. These bears have a dished shaped head with ears that are proportionally smaller than black bears. A prominent shoulder hump of muscle can help distinguish these bears at a distance. This muscle mass assists the bear to dig with its long (up to 10 cm), relatively straight claws. Claws will be worn shorter as the summer progresses.
