BLACK BEARS have shiny, black fur. Adult males average 200 pounds with some weighing up to 600 pounds! They average 5 feet long and 24-30 inches tall. Females are usually 20-30% smaller than the males.

Cubs are usually born in February or March and weigh about 1/2 pound. Bears live up to 25 years.

Predators are wolves, grizzly (brown) bears, other black bears and people. Black bears eat insects, berries, fish, grasses, clover, aspen, carriopn, catkins, garbage, and moose calves. Eighty percent of their diet is from plants!

They prefer open forest, but range throughout most of Alaska south of the Brooks Range. In the winter they den up. Their body temperature drops a few degrees and his heart rate slows. This is called estivation. He may waken during the winter from warmer temperatures or from noises that wouldn't waken him if he were in true hibernation.

BROWN (GRIZZLY) BEARS prefer open areas, but the food aavailability determines the range. Theya are found throughout Alaska from the low elevations to alpine areas. Berries, sedges, grasses, moose calves, caribou calves, fish and carrion make up their diet.

Male brown bears are 7-9 feet long and 4-5 feet tall. They weigh 500 to 900 pounds (some weigh up to 1400 pounds). Females are 30-40% smaller. They range in color from blond to dark brown. Cubs are born in January and February and wigh up to 2 pounds. Males live about 22 years. Females live about 26 years.

The enemies of the brown bears are man and other brown bears. Wolves and adult males will kill the cubs if the opportunity arrives.

POLAR BEARS are found on pack ice and on Alaska's north and northwest coast. They eat ringed seals, carrion, bearded seals, beluga whales, walrus, birds' eggs, and kelp.

People and killer whales are their main predators. The male polar bear and wolves will prey on polar bear cubs.

Adult males are 8 1/2 feet long, 4 feet tall at the shoulders, and average 900 pounds (up to 1400 pounds). Females are 6 1/2 feet and weigh 500 pounds. Their fur is white with a yellowish tinge. A polar bear may live up to aobut 25 years.