One whopping big brown bear, the Kodiak dominates the islands on which it lives in Alaska. Powerful jaws, long claws and a running charge like a diesel train can lead to disastrous results for anything in the way. These bears stick mostly to eating plants-though they do gather for a mammoth, all-you-can eat fishing feast when the rivers fill with salmon in summer.
Eat Your Veggies: This beast of a bear has a fearsome set of jaws, including long, sharp canine teeth. They're mostly for show, however. The Kodiak primarily forages for grasses, berries and other plants-and can eat up to 90 lbs. of veggies per day.
Occasional Burger: The bear does hunt down deer and other large mammals from time to time. Able to smell prey from 10 miles away, this beast closes the last few yards by charging at speeds up to 25 mph. The bear can kill by crashing into a victim, or can slash prey with its thick claws.
Summer Salmon Fest[]
During summer, thousands of salmon swim for hundreds of miles from the Pacific and into rivers in the Kodiak islands. Kodiak bears (and other bears) have learned when and where these fish will arrive, and go there to "greet" them. All a Kodiak needs to do is swipe its claws or poke its jaws in a shallow part of the river, and it's almost guaranteed a fish. Some bears stand atop short waterfalls (above) over which the salmon have to jump, and snatch the fish right out of the air.
Family Feud: A female Kodiak turns vicious when raising cubs, protecting her young and food sources from intruders, or even other Kodiak families. Mothers that clash in feeding grounds charge fiercely at each other until one quits and leads her cubs away.
Long Winter's Nap: Winter on the Kodiak islands is no fun. Storms rage continually, dumping up to 4 feet of snow at a time. The bear avoids such extremes by finding a den, sealing the entrance and hibernating until spring. The animal's body lives off stored nutrients during this long sleep.
It's Bear Eat Bear[]
Young bears have a tough time growing up. Harsh weather and predators eliminate about one-fourth of bears before they reach three years of age. Amazingly, many of these deaths are from adult male Kodiaks eating the cubs when the mothers aren't around to protect them. After the age of three, young Kodiaks leave their mothers and face the world on their own. Those that brave the elements and threats survive.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The Kodiak Bear is featured in National Pride on Monster Mania 86.
- It is labeled as "Brown Bear" in the game.