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European brown bear

Don't know much about European brown bears? Look no further - here's our round up for cool and quirky facts about them.

  • The biggest European brown bears weigh about 680kg, which is about the same as 8 adults.
  • Bears are ‘plantigrade’ animals. This means that they are able to stand on their two strong back legs for prolonged periods of time
  • The name ‘brown bear’ doesn’t come from their colour at all but from a very old Middle English word, ‘bruin’, meaning simply, ‘bear’. So these are bear bears!
  • Cubs are born naked and do not begin to get their first light fur until they are ten days old, which is also when they first open their eyes.
  • Bears do not hibernate in the true sense, but they do often have a ‘dormant’ period during winter when they put on extra body weight, and find a warm, protected spot to use as a den through the coldest months.

Printable version

Wellington - European Brown Bear

Adopt Wellington and Winslow

Even though they are no longer cubs, the inseparable sisters still love to play together, especially in their pond.

Adopt our twin bears

The Zoological Society of London is incorporated by Royal Charter - Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 208728.
Principal Office England - Company Number RC000749 - Registered address Regent's Park, London, England NW1 4RY

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