The Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi), also known as the Alaskan giant bear, is a subspecies of brown bear native to the Kodiak Island and other coastal towns in southern Alaska. These mammals stand out for their immense size and remarkable robustness, being one of the largest land mammals in the world, along with the polar bear.
Origin of the kodiak bear
As we have already told you, the kodiak bear is a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), a species of the family Ursidae that inhabits Eurasia and North America and has more than 16 subspecies recognized today. Specifically, kodiak bears are native to southern Alaska and underlying regions, such as Kodiak Island.
Originally, the kodiak bear was described as a new species of bear by the American naturalist and zoologist taxonomist named C. H. Merriam. Its first scientific name was Ursus middendorffi in homage to a great naturalist of B altic origin named Dr. A. Th. Von Middendorff. Some years later, after a detailed taxonomic study, all the brown bears originating in North America were brought together in the same species: Ursus arctos
In addition, several genetic investigations have made it possible to recognize that the kodiak bear is "genetically related" to the brown bears of the United States, including those that inhabit the Alaskan peninsula, and also to brown bears From Russia. Although there are still no conclusive studies, due to the low genetic diversity it is estimated that kodiak bears were isolated for many centuries (at least since the last ice age, It happened about 12 years ago.000 years). Likewise, it is not yet possible to detect immunological deficiencies or congenital deformities derived from inbred crosses in this subspecies.
Alaskan Giant Bear Appearance and Anatomy
The kodiak bear is a giant land mammal, which can reach a height at the withers of approximately 1.3 meters. But in addition, it can reach 3 meters on two legs, that is, when it acquires a bipedal position. It also stands out for its great robustness, with females commonly weighing around 200 kg, while males can exceed 300 kg in body weight Likewise, Male kodiak bears have been recorded weighing more than 600kg in the wild, and one individual nicknamed "Clyde" who lived at the North Dakota Zoo has exceeded 950kg.
Due to the adverse weather conditions it must face, the kodiak bear stores 50% of its body weight in fat, however, in pregnant females, this figure exceeds 60%, since they need a large energy reserve to survive and nurse their young. In addition to their immense size, another striking feature of kodiak bears is their dense fur that is perfectly adapted to the climate of their natural habitat. Regarding the colors of the coat, kodiak bears generally exhibit shades from blonde and orange to a dark brown. During their first few years of life, puppies often display a white "natal ring" around their neck.
These giant Alaskan bears also feature some large, very sharp and retractable claws that are essential for their days of hunting and also they help them defend themselves from possible attacks or fights for territory against other males.
Kodiak Bear Behavior
Kodiak bears tend to maintain a solitary lifestyle in their habitat, meeting only during the breeding season and in eventual disputes over the territory. Also, since they have a relatively small feeding area, since they mostly go to regions with salmon spawning streams, it is common to see groups of kodiak bears along the streams of Alaska and Kodiak Island. It is estimated that this kind of " timely tolerance" may be a type of adaptive behavior, since by minimizing the fights for territory in these circumstances, they manage to maintain better nutrition and, consequently, they remain he althy and strong to reproduce and give continuity to the population.
Speaking of food, kodiak bears are omnivorous animals, whose diet includes everything from grass, roots and berries typical of Alaska, to Pacific salmon and medium- and large-sizedmammals such as seals, elk and deer. They can also eventually consume algae and invertebrates that accumulate on the beaches after the windiest seasons. With the advance of man on its habitat, mainly on Kodiak Island, some opportunistic habits have been observed in this subspecies. When food becomes scarce, kodiaks living near cities or towns may move closer to urban centers to prey on human food waste.
Bears do not experience true hibernation like other hibernating animals such as groundhogs, hedgehogs and squirrels. For these large and robust mammals, hibernation itself would imply an enormous energy expenditure to stabilize their body temperature with the arrival of spring. But since this metabolic cost would be unsustainable for the animal, putting even its survival at risk, kodiak bears do not hibernate, but instead experience a kind of winter sleep Yes Although they are similar metabolic processes, during winter sleep, the body temperature of bears drops only a few degrees, allowing the animal to sleep for long periods of time in its caves, saving a large amount of energy during the winter.
Kodiak Bear Play
In general, all subspecies of grizzly bears, including the kodiak bear, are monogamous and faithful to their mates. At each mating season, each individual meets its usual partner, until one of the two dies. Likewise, they may go several seasons without mating after the death of their usual partner, until they feel ready to accept a new partner.
The breeding season for the kodiak bear occurs between the months of May and June, with the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. After mating, couples usually stay together for a few weeks, taking the opportunity to rest and gather a good amount of food. However, females exhibit delayed implantation, meaning that the fertilized eggs attach to the uterine wall and develop several months after mating, usually during the fall
Like most mammals, kodiak bears are viviparous animals, which means that fertilization and development of young occur inside the womb. The pups are usually born in late winter, during the months of January and March, in the same burrow that their mother has enjoyed winter sleep. Each female usually gives birth to 2 to 4 pups at each delivery, which are born weighing almost 500 grams and will remain with their parents until they are three years old, although they will only reach sexual maturity when they are 5 years old.
Kodiak bears have the highest mortality rate of cubs among grizzly subspecies, probably due to the environmental conditions of their habitat and the predatory behavior of males in relation to the offspring. This is one of the main factors that hinder the expansion of their species, as well as "sport" hunting.
Kodiak Bear Conservation Status
Given the complex conditions of its habitat and its position in the food chain, the kodiak bear has no natural predators. As we mentioned, the males of this subspecies themselves can become predators of the cubs due to territorial disputes. But other than this behavior, the only concrete threats to the survival of the kodiak bear are hunting and deforestation Sport hunting is allowed on a regulated basis in the Alaska panhandle. Therefore, the creation of National Parks has become essential for the conservation of many native species, among which is the kodiak bear, since in these areas protected areas hunting is prohibited.
