What type of animal is a Grizzly?

A grizzly is a bear, specifically a North American population or subspecies of the brown bear, Ursus arctos. The name commonly refers to the mainland grizzly, often classified as Ursus arctos horribilis. It is therefore not a snake, bird, or alligator.

Grizzlies are omnivores. They eat plants, berries, roots, insects, fish, and carrion, and they may prey on mammals when the opportunity arises. Coastal grizzlies can grow especially large because salmon and other rich food sources are available. Inland grizzlies are generally smaller, but both forms are brown bears.

A common mix-up is confusing grizzlies with American black bears. Fur color alone is unreliable because black bears can be brown, cinnamon, or even blond. Grizzlies often have a pronounced shoulder hump, a concave or “dished” facial profile, and shorter, more rounded ears. The word “grizzly” refers to the bear’s grizzled, pale-tipped fur; it is not a separate animal order. The extinct California grizzly is still represented on California’s state flag.