Can you guess what type of bear is pictured? If you guessed grizzly bear, you are correct! Black and grizzly bears live throughout Grand Teton. Color is misleading when identifying a bear: both black and grizzly bears can range from blonde to black. Being able to properly identify a bear can help you know how to handle an encounter, should you have one. Characteristics of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis): -Distinctive shoulder hump -Face profile appears dished in -Ears are short and rounded -Front claws are long and less curved (2"-4" long) -Grow to be larger than black bears, however young bears are often smaller in size. Adult female grizzlies weigh 290–400 lb (130–180 kg), while adult males average 400–790 lb (180–360 kg). -Habitat: open fields, sub-alpine, river basins Characteristics of black bears (Ursus americanus): -No distinctive shoulder hump -Face profile is straight from nose to tip of ears -Ears are tall and pointed -Front claws are short and curved (1"-2" long) -Smaller than grizzly bears: adult males average 262 lb (119 kg) and adult females average 148 lb (67 kg). -Habitat: forests, canyons, sub-alpine, river basins Never approach a bear. Never feed a bear. Stay 100 yards (1 football field) from bears at all times. If you see a bear while visiting the park, please report it to the nearest visitor center or ranger station. To learn more about recreating in bear country, please visit our website. NPS Photo/C. Weatherbee, taken with a telephoto lens #MyGrandTeton #TetonSafe