Grizzly Bears in Washington: Where They Live, Risk to Humans, and Diet

Grizzly bears can be terrifying. For most of us, it’s hard, and a little nerve-wracking, to try and imagine encountering a grizzly bear. In North America, there are about 50,000 wild grizzlies, with the highest concentration (30,000) in Alaska. Unless you live in Alaska, your chances of seeing a grizzly bear are slim. American black bears are more common. In the United States alone, there are about 339,000 to 465,000 black bears. They are a lot more spread out than grizzlies. So, where do grizzlies live? Are there grizzly bears in Washington State? And if yes, how many?

Are There Grizzly Bears in Washington?

Generally, grizzly bears only live in five states in the U.S., and this includes Washington State. The exact number though is hard to estimate. There may be as much as 500 or as little as 20. The state with the lowest number of grizzlies is Idaho, with a population of about 100. This is likely because Yellowstone extends slightly into Idaho.

Where do Grizzly Bears Live in Washington?

Washington has a population of around 7.8 million and a surface area of 71,300 square miles. Because of its size, and the small grizzly bear population, you’re unlikely to encounter one just by stepping out your front door. Instead, you can find grizzly bears in northeast Washington, specifically in the Selkirk Mountains. Still, although the population mainly lives in those mountains, they can venture out. While this is true, there hasn’t been a recorded sighting of a grizzly in the Washington North Cascades since 1996.

Are Grizzly Bears Dangerous?

Since the likeliness you’ll see a grizzly bear in Washington state is slim, they pose little threat. Still, if you ever encounter a grizzly bear, it’s important to know how to react. All wildlife can be dangerous, and grizzlies are no exception. Grizzly bears have a bite force of around 1,160 psi. They are great defenders and will attack if you are too close to their territory. Although true, grizzly bear attacks are uncommon. More than a handful of attacks each year is rare.

So, what do you do if you encounter a grizzly bear in Washington? Not all grizzly bears act aggressively. Many are just curious. Although tempting, one of the worst things you can do around a brown bear is run. Instead of running, stand your ground and try to remind the bear that you are human, not prey. Stay calm and keep your eyes on the grizzly while speaking to it in a calm voice. If it gets close to you but stands on its legs, this is a sign of curiosity, not hostility.

Now, if you’re being attacked, not just noticed, experts recommend laying flat on the floor, your stomach on the ground. Place your hands against your neck, hiding it from the bear, and keep your bag on against your back. This adds another layer or protection. Try to play dead. This trick though doesn’t work against black bears.

About Grizzly Bears

Now that we know more about grizzly bears in Washington and if they pose a threat to humans, we can learn more about these animals. Grizzly bears are also known as brown bears. They are a subspecies of the brown bear, which has a large range in Eurasia and North America. The Grizzly bear’s conservation status is endangered in the lower 48 states.

Grizzly bears can be a bit difficult to identify as their fur varies in color. Sometimes they are blond, while other times they are a mix of ash-grey and brown. Grizzly bears have small rounded ears and a distinct muscular hump on their shoulders.

Diet

Another cool thing to learn about grizzlies is their diet. What do they consume? Grizzly bears are omnivores with a wide diet. They can eat anything from small to large mammals, fish, birds, insects, and more. Some mammals they consume include young whitetail deer, bison, elk, moose, and caribou. Although they can attack large prey, grizzly bears mainly eat young, sick, or vulnerable animals.

Their diets also change depending on the region. Still, they eat grasses, rodents, roots, berries, and more. The type of fish they consume also depends on the region. In Alaska, they are known to feed on salmon and clams. Generally, the majority of a grizzly bear’s diet is made up of plants.

Size

Possibly the most interesting thing about a grizzly bear is its incredible size. Grizzly bears can weigh as much as 600 pounds. Adult males are a lot bigger than females. Adult male grizzlies weigh about 400 to 600 pounds, while females average about 250 to 350 pounds. Despite this, some may weigh over 800 pounds. Grizzly bears are also rather tall, adding to their intimidating stance. They are around 3 to 5 feet tall when walking, but may reach as tall as 8 feet.