Grizzly Bear

Large and in charge

Grizzly bears are Yellowstone’s biggest carnivores, making them formidable competition for wolves. They are 1-2 times larger than the more common black bears and are more aggressive. Grizzlies eat what wolves eat (and much more) and they are very successful at taking carcasses from wolves. However, as wolves generally retreat, is uncommon for grizzlies and wolves to kill each other.

Grizzlies hibernate in the winter. Mother bears give birth to up to four cubs in the winter den, then care for those cubs for about two years. Mother bears protect their cubs ferociously so wise animals give them a wide berth.

Even a strong wolf pack may not be able to take a carcass from a bear.

Quick Facts

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

About 150 grizzly bears live in Yellowstone. They are generally solitary and avoid conflict except when obtaining food or protecting offspring.

  • SIZE: females weigh 130–180 kg (300–400 lb) and males 180–360 kg (400–800 lb).

  • TOP SPEED: 64m (40 mph) so they are faster sprinters than wolves.

  • DIET: Generalist omnivores. They eat rodents and other small mammals, insects, ungulates (especially young), fish, roots, pine nuts, and grasses. Grizzlies often scavenge wolf-killed carcasses.

Grizzly Bears in WolfQuest

You’ll most often encounter grizzlies as they dine on carcasses or amble about the wilderness.

Even a strong wolf pack may not be able to take a carcass from a bear.

Grizzlies will also come to your den to kill your pups. Luckily, wolves are very good at defending their dens from bears.

You will find that a powerful swipe of a grizzly’s huge paw can deplete health very quickly. That’s why real wolves and grizzlies try to avoid dangerous encounters with each other.

Wolves cannot kill an adult grizzly in the game — since they’d be very unlikely to do so in the real world.

Grizzly bear cubs are vulnerable to wolves. However, a mother bear will fiercely protect her young cubs from predators.