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How large is a bearās home range when food is scarce?
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bear
Grizzly bear in Jasper National Park, western Alberta, Canada.
The size of a bear's home range is highly variable and depends significantly on the availability of food resources. When food is in short supply, bears utilize larger home ranges to meet their nutritional needs.1
Specific range sizes vary by species and geographic location:
- American black bears: Typically roam areas ranging from 40 to 200 square km (15 to 77 square miles).1
- Grizzlies: Generally occupy larger areas of 300 to 700 square km (115 to 270 square miles).1
- Polar bears: Due to the nature of their Arctic environment, some individuals trek across ranges exceeding 125,000 square km (48,000 square miles).1