Himalayan Brown Bear
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| Ursus arctos isabellinus |
The Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) is a subspecies of the Brown Bear. Himalayan Brown Bears are usually sandy or reddish-brown in color. They are located in the foothills of the Himalaya and northern Pakistan and do not extend past Dachigam and Kashmir. The actual population of the bears is unknown due to their rarity but is estimated at around 20-28 in the Deosai National Park.[1] International trade is prohibited by the Wildlife Protection Act in India. The Himalayan Brown Bear and the Himalayan Red Bear (the Dzu-Teh) are also believed to be the source of the legend of the Yeti.[2][3]
Himalayan Brown Bears exhibit sexual dimorphism. Males range from 1.5m up to 2.2m (4ft 11in - 7ft 3in) long, while females are 1.37m to 1.83m (4ft 6 in - 6ft) long. The bear is the largest animal in the Deosai National Park.
The bears go into hibernation around October and come out during April and May. Hibernation usually occurs in a den or cave made by the bear.
Himalayan Brown Bears are omnivores and will eat grasses, roots and other plants as well as insects and small mammals. The bears will also eat larger mammals like sheep and goats. Adults will eat before sunrise and later during the afternoon.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Wildlife of Pakistan
- ^ The Japan Times, 18 September 2003.
- ^ BBC News — Yeti's 'non-existence' hard to bear
[edit] References
