American black bear vs Grizzly bear
American black bear vs grizzly bear
Grizzly bear is larger on weight
Grizzly bear is 2.1× American black bear on weight.
An American black bear and a grizzly bear can be compared on 5 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.
Side by side
| American black bear | Grizzly bear | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 40–280 kg | 130–360 kg |
| Height | 0.7–1 m | 0.9–1.1 m |
| Length | 1.2–2 m | 1.7–2.4 m |
| Top speed | 48 km/h | 56 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 18–30 yr | 20–35 yr |
What the numbers say
- Grizzly bear is 2.1× American black bear on weight.
- Grizzly bear is somewhat greater than American black bear on height — about 1.1×.
- Grizzly bear is somewhat greater than American black bear on length — about 1.3×.
- Grizzly bear is somewhat greater than American black bear on top speed — about 1.2×.
- Grizzly bear is somewhat greater than American black bear on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.
Weight compared.
Grizzly bear 130–360 kg
American black bear 40–280 kg
American black bear
North America's most common bear, and the one most people actually encounter.
Grizzly bear
The inland North American brown bear, smaller than coastal populations because it eats less salmon.
This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.
Common questions
- Which is bigger, American black bear or grizzly bear?
- Grizzly bear is 2.1× American black bear on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
- How do American black bears and grizzly bears compare on height?
- American black bear: 0.7–1 m. Grizzly bear: 0.9–1.1 m. Grizzly bear is somewhat greater than American black bear on height — about 1.1×.
- How do American black bears and grizzly bears compare on length?
- American black bear: 1.2–2 m. Grizzly bear: 1.7–2.4 m. Grizzly bear is somewhat greater than American black bear on length — about 1.3×.
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Sources
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution