Black, Brown and White: A Guide to the Bears of Canada

Black, Brown and White: A Guide to the Bears of Canada

polar, black and grizzly bears.

Many Canada holiday packages offer wildlife trips. If the chance to see some of the country’s most impressive animals interests you, read on to learn more.

Though Europe might have been home to impressive creatures many centuries ago, most of today’s Brits have to travel great distances in order to see large predators in the wild. This is one of the reasons for the growing popularity of trips to the wilds of Canada: holiday packages allow visitors to explore and safely observe some seriously extraordinary animals.

If you’re planning a holiday to the fascinating regions of Canada, you should probably familiarise yourself with the three main types of bear you’re likely to find. Read on to learn more about polar, black and grizzly bears.

Polar Bears

Habitat: Ice and tundra

Appearance: Large and white

These creatures can be spotted just about anywhere in the north. Several Canada holiday packages are available in and around the Hudson Bay area in particular. Another recommended viewing spot is Churchill.

Polar bears are the biggest living species of bear and easily the most distinctive in terms of appearance. Known in Inuit culture as ‘the ever-wandering one’, these beautiful animals can often be seen roaming over the ice alone.

Did You Know? Their skin is actually black. The white colour comes from a thick layer of fur beneath transparent guard hairs.

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Black Bears

Habitat: Just about anywhere with trees

Appearance: Relatively small, with fur ranging from dark black to auburn brown

The North American black is the most common species of bear, found all over the continent. You don’t have to go too far to encounter one of these creatures, but to see them up-close, you’ll find that some Canada holiday packages offer nature excursions around the densely populated areas between Toronto and Montreal or in British Columbia.

Smaller than the other animals on this list, black bears can climb quickly and elegantly. They mark territory by rubbing their backs against trees, in the style of The Jungle Book’s Baloo, and can claim patches of land as big as 10,000km2.

Grizzlies

Habitat: More remote, clearer woodland areas

Appearance: Big, brown and hunched, with long front claws

Each animal on this list has the potential to be dangerous, but these beasts are significantly faster, stronger and more aggressive than their cousins. Habitats tend to be clearly marked out, as much for their protection as yours – they are sadly now considered endangered.

Canada holiday packages in grizzly territory tend to be focused strongly on safely observing these creatures in the wild – though you will be keeping your distance, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience nonetheless.

There is much more to see in the Canadian wilderness than just bears, of course, and many nature-themed Canada holiday packages include excursions featuring whales and birds of prey as well as smaller land mammals.

As always, remember to be respectful and safe when dealing with wild animals, and listen closely to experienced travellers and guides. Do all this, and you’ll be able to see these majestic, powerful creatures and come home with indelible memories.

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