Kodiak Bear

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 19 February 2021
Update Date: 19 November 2024
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Why are Kodiak Bears So Massive?
Video: Why are Kodiak Bears So Massive?

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O kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi), also known as the Alaskan giant bear, is a subspecies of grizzly bear native to Kodiak Island and other coastal locations in southern Alaska. These mammals stand out for their immense size and remarkable robustness, being one of the largest terrestrial mammals in the world, along with the polar bear.

If you want to know more about this giant mammal, we invite you to continue reading this PeritoAnimal sheet, in which we will talk about the origin, diet and reproduction of Kodiak's Bear.

Source
  • America
  • U.S

Origin of the Kodiak Bear

As we've already mentioned, the Kodiak Bear is a grizzly bear subspecies (Ursus arctos), a kind of family Ursidae that inhabits Eurasia and North America and has more than 16 currently recognized subspecies. Specifically, Kodiak bears are Southern Alaska Natives and underlying regions such as Kodiak Island.


Originally the Kodiak Bear was described as a new species of bear by the American taxonomist naturalist and zoologist named C.H. Merriam. Its first scientific name was Ursus middendorffi, named after a great Baltic naturalist named Dr. A. Th. Von Middendorff. A few years later, after a detailed taxonomic study, all grizzly bears originating in North America are grouped together in the same species: Ursus arctos.

In addition, several genetic researches have made it possible to recognize that the Kodiak bear is "genetically related" to the grizzly bears of the United States, including those that inhabit the Alaskan peninsula, as well as the grizzly bears of Russia. Although there are no conclusive studies yet, due to the low genetic diversity, Kodiak bears are estimated to have been isolated for many centuries (at least since the last ice age, which took place about 12,000 years ago). Likewise, it is not yet possible to detect immunological deficiencies or congenital deformities derived from inbreeding in this subspecies.


Appearance and Anatomy of the Alaskan Giant Bear

The Kodiak Bear is a giant land mammal, which can reach a height at the withers of approximately 1.3 meters. In addition, it can reach 3 meters on two legs, that is, when it acquires the bipedal position. It also stands out for having great robustness, being common for females to weigh around 200 kg, while males reach more than 300 kg body weight. Male Kodiak bears weighing more than 600 kg have been recorded in the wild, and an individual nicknamed "Clyde", who lived at the North Dakota Zoo, has reached more than 950 kg.

Due to the adverse weather conditions it has to face, the Kodiak Bear stores 50% of your body weight in fat, however, in pregnant females, this value exceeds 60%, since they need a large reserve of energy to survive and breastfeed their offspring. In addition to their immense size, another striking feature of Kodiak bears is their dense fur, perfectly adapted to the climate of its natural habitat. With regard to coat colors, Kodiak bears generally range from shades of blonde and orange to dark brown. During the first few years of life, puppies usually wear a so-called white "natal ring" around their necks.


These giant Alaskan bears also feature large, very sharp and retractable claws, essential for their hunting days and that also help them to defend against possible attacks or fight for territory against other males.

Kodiak Bear Behavior

Kodiak bears tend to carry a lonely lifestyle in their habitat, meeting only during the breeding season and in occasional disputes over territory. In addition, because they have a relatively small feeding area, as they go mainly to regions with salmon spawning streams, it is common to see groups of Kodiak bears along Alaskan streams and Kodiak Island. It is estimated that this type of "timely tolerance" can be a kind of adaptive behavior, because by minimizing the fights for territory in these circumstances, bears are able to maintain a better diet and, consequently, remain healthy and strong to reproduce and continue the population.

Speaking of food, Kodiak bears are omnivorous animals, whose diet includes since pasture, roots and fruits typical of Alaska, even Pacific salmon and mammals medium and large in size, such as seals, moose and deer. They can also eventually consume algae and invertebrates that accumulate on beaches after the windiest seasons. With the advance of man in his habitat, mainly on Kodiak Island, some opportunistic habits have been observed in this subspecies. When food becomes scarce, Kodiak bears that live near cities or towns can approach urban centers to reclaim human food waste.

Bears do not experience authentic hibernation like other hibernating animals such as marmots, hedgehogs and squirrels. For these large, robust mammals, hibernation itself would require a great deal of energy to stabilize their body temperature with the arrival of spring. As this metabolic cost would be unsustainable for the animal, putting even its survival at risk, Kodiak bears do not hibernate, but experience a kind of winter sleep. Although they are similar metabolic processes, during winter sleep the bears' body temperature drops only a few degrees, allowing the animal to sleep for long periods in its caves and save a great deal of energy during the winter.

Kodiak Bear Reproduction

In general, all grizzly bear subspecies, including the Kodiak bear, are monogamous and faithful to their partners. In every mating season, each individual finds his usual partner, until one of them dies. Furthermore, it is possible that several seasons go by without mating after the death of their habitual partner, until they feel ready to accept a new partner.

The breeding season of the Kodiak bear occurs among the months of may and june, with the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere. After mating, couples usually stay together for a few weeks, taking the opportunity to rest and gather a good amount of food. However, females have delayed implantation, which means that the fertilized eggs adhere to the uterine wall and develop several months after mating, usually during the fall.

Like most mammals, Kodiak bears are live-bearing animals, which means that fertilization and development of offspring takes place inside the womb. Puppies are usually born in late winter, during the months of January and March, in the same den where their mother enjoyed her winter sleep. The female usually gives birth to 2 to 4 pups at each birth. They are born with almost 500 grams and will stay with their parents until the age of threeof life, although they only reach sexual maturity at 5 years of age.

Kodiak bears have the higher mortality rate of cubs among the grizzly bear subspecies, probably due to the environmental conditions of their habitat and the predatory behavior of males towards their offspring. This is one of the main factors that hinder the expansion of the species, as well as "sport" hunting.

Conservation status of Kodiak bear

Given the complex conditions of its habitat and its position in the food chain, the Kodiak bear has no natural predators. As we mentioned, the males of this subspecies themselves can become predators of the offspring due to territorial disputes. However, apart from this behavior, the only concrete threats to the Kodiak's bear's survival are hunting and deforestation. Sport hunting is regulated by law on Alaskan territory. Therefore, the creation of National Parks has become essential for the conservation of many native species, including the kodiak bear, as hunting is prohibited in these protected areas.