ten occur in large groups. Along a few streams on Kodiak, up to 60 bears can be seen simultaneously in a 2.6 square kilometers (1 square miles) area.
Kodiak bears are omnivores. They are opportunistic feeders that eat roots, berries, grasses, sedges, wild flowers, wild celery and other plants as well as rodents, insects, large mammals (including deer and mountain goats), fish, carrion, and yes, unfortunately, garbage and pet food.
The Kodiak bear may look like a lumbering giant, but his large physique is mostly muscle. The hump on his back, beneath the neck, is solid muscle the bear uses for digging. It also provides him with the power to use his paws as a weapon.
Kodiak bears have a flat-footed, pigeon-toed walk; however, when one picks up pace, he can cover short distances at speeds of 55 to 65 km/h (35 to 40 mph).
An average walking pace is about 5 km/h (3 mph), which is very similar to the average human walking pace. When he breaks into a jog, he doubles his speed to 10 km/h (6 mph).
Despite their size, these bears can be amazingly graceful swimmers.
In late October, the bears will begin to enter their dens for hibernation. Bears typically enter their dens in the order of pregnant females followed by lone females and females with cubs. Males are the last to enter their dens, and large, old boars in particular may not hibernate at all.
Males begin emerging from their dens in early April, while female with new cubs may stay in dens until late June.
Bears weigh the least when they emerge from their dens in the spring, and can increase their weight by
20–30% during late summer and fall.
Mating season for Kodiak bears is during May and June. They are serially monogamous (having one partner at a time), staying together from two days to two weeks. Cubs are born in the den during January or February. Typical litter sizes is two or three cubs.
Weighing less than 450 g (1 lb) at birth with little hair and closed eyes, cubs suckle for several months, emerging from the den in May or June, weighing 6.8–9.1 kilograms (15–20 pounds). Cubs often retain a white “natal ring” around their neck for the first few years of life. Most cubs stay with their mothers for three years.
The brown bear species, of which the Kodiak subspecies is a member, is listed as Lower Risk or Least Concern. The Kodiak is not listed as an endangered species by the Endangered Species Act of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.
There are approximately 3,500 bears that inhabit the Kodiak Archipelago. Their number has been slowly increasing in recent years.
In the past 20 years, bear viewing has become increasingly popular on Kodiak and other parts of Alaska.
Each year, about 4,500 people apply for the 496 permits offered for Kodiak bear hunts. Nonresidents are required to hire a registered guide who is authorized to hunt in a particular area, and this can cost from $10,000–$22,000.
In most circumstances, Kodiak bears keep away and attempt to avoid encounters with people. The most notable exceptions to this behavior pattern occur when bears are surprised, threatened, or attracted by human food, garbage, or hunter-killed game.
The Kodiak Bear has a presence of a warrior. The meaning for Kodiak Bear totem is ferocity, and is a symbol to beware; as it is among the fiercest of animals one can encounter.