The Kodiak bear ( Ursus arctos middendorffi ), also known as the Alaskan giant bear, is a subspecies of brown bear native to the island of Kodiak and other coastal towns in southern Alaska.These mammals highlight their immense size and remarkable robustness, being one of the mammals The world's largest terrestrial, next to the polar bear.
If you want to know more about this giant mammal, we invite you to continue reading this Animals and Pets Online sheet, in which we will tell you about the origin, the feeding and reproduction of the Kodiak 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 lives in 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 the island of Kodiak.
Originally, the kodiak bear was described as a new species of bear by the US taxonomist naturalist and zoologist named CHMerriam.His first scientific name was Ursus middendorffi in homage to a great naturalist of Baltic origin named Dr.A.Th.Von Middendorff.A few years later, after a detailed taxonomic study, all brown bears originating in North America meet in the same species: Ursus arctos
In addition, several genetic investigations have made it possible to recognize that the kodiak bear is "genetically related" c on the brown bears of the United States, even with those that inhabit the Alaskan Peninsula, and also with the brown bears of Russia.While there are still no conclusive studies, for the low genetic diversity it is estimated that kodiak bears were isolated for many centuries (at least since the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago).Also, it is not yet possible to detect immunological deficiencies or congenital deformities derived from inbreeding crosses in this subspecies.
Aspect and anatomy of the Alaskan giant bear
The kodiak bear is a giant terrestrial mammal, which can reach a height at the cross of approximately 1.3 meters, but it can also reach 3 meters on two legs , that is, when it acquires a bipeda position.It also stands out for having a great robustness, being common that the females weigh around 200 kg, while the males reach more than 300 kg of body weight .Likewise, male kodiak bears with more than 600 kg in the wild have been registered and, an individual nicknamed "Clyde", who lived in the North Dakota zoo, has reached over 950 kg.
Due to the adverse climatic conditions that it must face, the kodiak bear stores a 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 breastfeed their young.In addition to the immense size, another feature called Kodiak bears ivo is its dense fur that is perfectly adapted to the climate of its natural habitat.With respect to the colors of the mantle, kodiak bears generally exhibit shades from blondes and oranges to a dark brown.During their first years of life, the puppies usually show the so-called "natal ring" of white color around their neck.
In these giant Alaskan bears also highlight large, very sharp and retractable claws that are indispensable for their days of pooping and also they help them defend themselves against possible attacks or fights over territory against other males.
Kodiak Bear Behavior
Kodiak bears tend to maintain a lonely lifestyle in their habitat, finding themselves only during reproductive times and eventual disputes over the territory.Likewise, given that they have a relatively food zone small, since they mostly go to regions with salmon spawning currents, it is common to see groups of kodiak bears along the creeks of Alaska and the island of Kodiak.It is estimated that this species of " timely tolerance "can be a type of behavior adaptive, since minimizing the struggles for territory in these circumstances, they manage to maintain better nutrition and, consequently, remain healthy and strong to reproduce and give continuity to the population.
To speak of food, Kodiak bears are omnivorous animals, whose diet includes from grass, roots and berries typical of Alaska, to Pacific salmon and mammals of medium and large size, 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 over his habitat, mainly on the island of Kodiak, some opportunistic habits have been observed> in this subspecies.When food becomes scarce, kodiak bears that live near cities or towns can approach urban centers to take advantage of human food waste.
Bears do not experience an authentic hibernation like other animals that hibernate, such as marmots, hedgehogs and squirrels.For these mammals so large and robust, hibernation itself would imply a huge energy expenditure to stabilize its body temperature with the arrival of spring.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 dream .While they are imilar metabolic processes, during sleep In winter, the body temperature of the bears drops only a few degrees, allowing the animal to sleep for long periods of time in its caves, saving a lot of energy during the winter.
Reproduction of the kodiak bear
Usually, the brown bear subspecies, including the kodiak bear, are monogamous and loyal to their partners.At each mating season, each individual meets their usual partner, until one of the two die.Also, it is possible that they spend several seasons without mating after the death of their usual partner, until they feel prepared to accept a new partner.
The breeding season for the kodiak bear occurs between May and June, with the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.After mating, the couples usually stay together for a few weeks, taking advantage to rest and gather a good amount of food.However, the females present a delayed implantation, that is, fertilized eggs adhere to the uterine wall and develop several months after mating, usually during the fall .
Like most mammals, bears kodiak are animals viviparos, which means that the fertilization and development of the offspring occur inside the mother's womb.Puppies are usually born at the end of winter, during the months of January and March, in the same burrow that their mother has enjoyed the dream winter.Each female usually gives birth 2 to 4 offspring in each birth, born with almost 500 grams and remain with their parents until three years of life , although They will only reach their sexual maturity at the end of their 5 years.
Kodiak bears record the highest mortality rate of puppies among brown subspecies, probably thanks to the environmental conditions of their habitat and the predatory behavior of the males in relation to the offspring.This is one of the main factors that hinder the expansion of their species, as well as the "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 out of this behavior, the only concrete threats to the survival of the kodiak bear are hunting and deforestation .Sports hunting is allowed in a regulated manner in the territory of Alaska.Therefore, the creation of National Parks it has become indispensable for the conservation of many native species, among which is the kodiak bear , since in these protected areas this hunting prohibited.
Bibliography
- McLellan (1994). Appearance.The polar bear is the largest member of the bear family, with the exception of the Alaska's Kodiak brown bears, which equal polar bears in size. USFish and Wildlife service.
- Van Daele, LJ (2007). Population dynamics and management of brown bears on Kodiak Island, Alaska Doctoral dissertation.University of Idaho, Moscow, US
- Wilson, Don; Reeder, DeeAnn, eds.(2005). Mammal Species of the World .Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols.
Comments
Post a Comment