Grizzly Bear for Kids Ages 3-12

Grizzly Bear

A grizzly bear tells the story of its life, from being a tiny cub in the Rocky Mountains to becoming a powerful omnivore. It explains how its strong nose helps it find food, from roots and insects to salmon. The bear describes preparing for its long winter sleep through hyperphagia and how its ancestors roamed a much larger territory in the early 1800s. By 1975, grizzly bear numbers were low, leading to their protection under the Endangered Species Act. The bear ends by explaining its important role as a keystone species, aerating the soil and keeping the ecosystem balanced, serving as a symbol of a healthy wilderness.

Subspecies named 'horribilis' by George Ord 1815

Listed as Threatened in Lower 48 States 1975

Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Formed 1983

A Grizzly Bear's Tale

Hello, I am a grizzly bear. You might wonder where I got my name. It comes from the special silver, or 'grizzled,' tips on my long fur, which makes me look a little frosty. My story began on a very cold winter day, when I was born inside a warm, cozy den my mother had dug. I was so tiny back then, and I couldn't see or hear much at all. For the next two years, I stayed very close to my mother in our home in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She was the best teacher a young bear could ask for. She taught me all the secrets of the forest. I learned where to find the juiciest berries, how to listen for the rustle of small animals in the leaves, and most importantly, how to stay safe from danger. Those early years were full of lessons that prepared me for my life as a great, grizzled giant of the wilderness.

My world is a world of smells. My nose is incredibly powerful, and it guides me to everything I need. I can smell food from miles away, which is very helpful when you have a big appetite like I do. I am an omnivore, which means I eat both plants and animals. This makes my meals very exciting. I use my long, strong claws, which are almost as long as your fingers, to dig for tasty roots deep in the earth. Sometimes, I flip over heavy rocks to find yummy insects hiding underneath. But my favorite time of year is late summer when the salmon swim up the rivers. Catching a slippery, delicious salmon is a special treat that gives me lots of energy. I also love to eat berries—all kinds of them. When I wander through the forest eating berries, I help spread their seeds everywhere I go. This helps new berry bushes and other plants grow all over the forest, making it a healthier place for everyone.

As summer ends and the air turns crisp, I know it's time to get ready for the long winter. This time of year is called hyperphagia, which is a big word that means I eat almost nonstop. My only job is to eat as much as I can to build up a thick layer of fat. This fat layer will be my food and my blanket during my long winter sleep. Once I am plump and ready, I search for the perfect spot to dig my den. It has to be safe and sheltered from the wind and snow. When I finally settle in for my nap, my body does something amazing. My heart rate slows way, way down, so I use very little energy. My ancestors had a much bigger world to prepare for winter in. In the early 1800s, when explorers like Lewis and Clark traveled here, we grizzly bears roamed all over the western lands. But as more towns and cities were built, our territory became much smaller.

Living in a changing world wasn't always easy. By the year 1975, there were not many of us grizzly bears left in the United States south of Canada. Our numbers had become very low, and people started to worry. They realized that the wilderness wouldn't be the same without us. So, they decided to help. Laws like the Endangered Species Act were passed to protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats. This protection was very important because I have a big job to do. I am what is called a keystone species. When I dig for roots, I mix up the soil and help air get in, which makes it healthier for plants. Because I eat so many different things, I help keep the whole ecosystem in balance. My story is a reminder that when humans work to protect nature, magnificent animals like me can continue to be a symbol of a healthy, thriving wilderness for years to come.