The Himalayan brown bear (or Ursus arctos isabellinus) is a subspecies of brown bear that lives in the mountains of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India, West China, Nepal, Kazakhstan and Tibet. They are very rare and extremely endangered – the size of the population left in the wild are unknown, but they are threatened by numerous factors including habitat fragmentation through human development, as well as poaching for their fur and other body parts. They have thick reddish-brown fur and males are larger than females, with an average length of 1.9m and weight of 135kg, in comparison to the female averages of 1.6m and 70kg. They live at high altitudes – often above the tree line – and spend the summer months foraging, hunting and mating. The winter months are spent hibernating.
Latin Name
Ursus arctos isabellinus
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himalayan-brown-bear
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Animal Facts
Himalayan brown bears are the same species as the Grizzly bear, but a different subspecies.
Himalayan brown bears give birth to very small cubs during hibernation and without waking.
Himalayan brown bears come down to lower elevations in autumn to eat fruit and wheat before they go into hibernation.
During hibernation, the bear's breathing and heart rate slow down, but they will wake if disturbed.
Himalayan brown bears are thought to be the origin of the Yeti legend, as they have been seen walking through the snow on their hind legs.