ABC Islands bears
| ABC brown bears | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Ursidae |
| Genus: | Ursus |
| Species: | U. arctos × U. maritimus |
| Subspecies: | U. a. sitkensis |
| Trinomial name | |
|
Ursus arctos sitkensis Merriam, 1896 |
|
The ABC Islands bears (Ursus arctos sitkensis) is a subspecies of brown bear that resides in Southeast Alaska and is found on Admiralty Island, Baranof Island, and Chichagof Island of Alaska. These islands have the colloquial name of the ABC Islands (Alaska) and are a part of the Alexander Archipelago. This brown bear population has a unique genetic structure, which not only relates them to brown bears but to polar bears as well.Ursus arctos sitkensis habitat exists within the Tongass National Forest, which is part of the perhumid rainforest zone.
The ABC Islands Bears have the appearance of the typical Alaskan grizzly bear, which includes milk chocolate colored fur, a humped back, with a large size and reputation to match. Although the bear is commonly a milk-chocolate color, it can range from blonde to black fur. Along with the humped back, the bears also have a slightly dished profile to the face. The bears have long front claws. Adult males on average will weigh 195–390 kg (430–860 lb), with adult females weighing on average 95–205 kg (210–450 lb). Adult height will range on average from 90 to 110 cm (35 to 43 in) at the shoulder.
As these bears reside within the Tongass National Forest, the bears depend on species that are found within the ecosystem of the Tongass. Two of the common tree species in this ecosystem include Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock.
The ABC Islands Bears depend on a diet of various flora and fauna that is endemic to the region. For flora this includes grasses; other plants like bulbs; berries like salmonberries and blueberries; and mushrooms. For fauna this includes animals like voles, mice, squirrels, and salmon.
The ABC Island Bears are usually solitary creatures, except in areas with plentiful food sources. Areas with abundance of staples of their diet may cause attraction by multiple bears. The ABC Islands Bears will reach sexual maturity on average at the age of four to seven years, with mating occurring between May and July. Winter hibernation for these bears occurs between the months of October until April, with June at the latest. Pregnant females will give birth to cubs in the den in January or February, with an average litter size of two to three cubs. The cubs remain with the mother for up to three years, during which time she will not get pregnant.
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