Grizzly Definition
There are approximately 1,100 grizzly bears left in the wilderness lands of the northwest United States, Canada and Alaska, according to Conservation Northwest. The noun "grizzly" refers to these majestic beasts, but the word used as an adjective denotes a different meaning.
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Meanings
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People use the word "grizzly" as an adjective to describe someone who is gray-haired. As a noun, the word refers to the brown bear--also known as Ursus horribilis--which is native to the mountains of western North America.
History
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According to etymologists, the term "grizzly" is a variation of the word "grisly." The root of this word lies in the Old English "grislic," which means "to shudder," and the German "grausen," meaning "to fear."
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Identification
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The most distinctive feature of a grizzly bear is a pronounced shoulder hump, composed mainly of muscle. Grizzlies are brown with lighter-tipped hairs that make them look "grizzled."
Size
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Male grizzly bears, on average, weigh from 400 to 600 pounds. Females average from 250 to 350 pounds. World-record bears taken by hunters range up to 1,600 pounds.
Misconceptions
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Grizzly bears now exist largely in remote wilderness areas. If left alone, they pose no threat to human life. Their reputation for unprovoked ferocity is an exaggeration.
Warning
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When you are hiking in bear country, you can avoid close encounters with grizzlies by wearing bear bells or making any other kind of noise. Bears would like to avoid a confrontation as much as you would and will retreat if they hear you coming.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Beverly
