But apparently if you introduce grizzlies to polar bears, they get it on. What's with the black bear/brown bear animosity?
Black bears inhabit denser, more forest regions of the state, whereas grizzlys (brown bears) like more open terrain. They also tend to hunt different things. Brown bears will run down and kill black bears that wander into their territory. Also, I believe black bears are more herbivorous than brown bears, as black bears are not apt to take down large game (not being, themselves, very large).
Cute picture, Brian. We have two black bears in our city zoo. One is tall and lanky, and the other one looks like a corgi-bear. Our grizzlys are big and lazy. We used to have a combined grizzly/polar bear pen, as the two grew up together and were very friendly to each other. However, as they got older, they became more territorial and argumentative, and had to be separated.
Polars and browns have been known to mate, and I think there are some reports of viable offspring. It's very probable that polar bears evolved directly from brown bears.
But apparently if you introduce grizzlies to polar bears, they get it on. What's with the black bear/brown bear animosity?
Black bears inhabit denser, more forest regions of the state, whereas grizzlys (brown bears) like more open terrain. They also tend to hunt different things. Brown bears will run down and kill black bears that wander into their territory. Also, I believe black bears are more herbivorous than brown bears, as black bears are not apt to take down large game (not being, themselves, very large).
Cute picture, Brian. We have two black bears in our city zoo. One is tall and lanky, and the other one looks like a corgi-bear. Our grizzlys are big and lazy. We used to have a combined grizzly/polar bear pen, as the two grew up together and were very friendly to each other. However, as they got older, they became more territorial and argumentative, and had to be separated.
Polars and browns have been known to mate, and I think there are some reports of viable offspring. It's very probable that polar bears evolved directly from brown bears.