Okhotsk Brown Bear

lat.  Ursus arctos beringianus

The brown bear is the most widespread bear species. They can be found over most of Europe, North America, and northern Asia. The most stable populations of brown bear are found in North America and Russia.

The current worldwide estimated population of the brown bear is about 200,000 bears. The largest population is in Russia, with about 140,000 bears. Bears are distributed throughout Russia unevenly.

In Okhotsk region this subspecies is physically very similar to the Kodiak bears of Alaska, though tending to be smaller and darker in color. It has a broad forehead which is rather steeply elevated over a relatively short muzzle. Though dark furred specimens predominate, fur color can vary from blackish-brown to pale yellow. The claws tend to be dark brown, with light yellow tips, and are up to four inches (100 mm) in length. Head and body length is up to 9 feet (275 cm), tail length 6-1/2 to 8-1/2 inches (16.5 to 21.6 cm), and shoulder height 50-53 inches (127 to 135 cm). The average size of the bears taken is around 8-8.5 ft in Okhotsk.

The brown bear grows large because of its abundant and protein-rich diet of spawning salmon and other fish in the coastal rivers in the fall and sea kale and fish on the coast line in the spring time, and from the comparatively mild climate that permits a shorter period of hibernation. It is a very large, dark bear with a massive skull. The forehead is broad and rather steeply elevated over the relatively short nose. The coat is long, dense and soft. The color varies from pale yellow to blackish-brown and dull black, but dark individuals predominate. The legs are usually the same color as the body. The claws are dark brown.

In the Spring in the coastal areas bears are hunted along the shoreline, where they concentrate, looking for seafood. A hunter can see over 30 - 40 bears during the trip.

Go to brown bear picture gallery.