Size

[brobear]

SUMMARY: The head and body length varies from 1.0 - 3.0 m (3ft 3 inches to 10 ft). This may be due to both genetic factors and nutrition.
Head and body:

1.7 - 2.8 m. (B285.w4)
1.5 - 2.8 m. (B285.w4)
1.0 - 2.8 m. (D243)
2.0 - 3.0 m (7 - 10 ft). (B144)
In the Alps these bears are as small as 1.7 m (5.5 ft) in length. (B144)
Five ft 11 ins to 7 ft (1.8 - 2.13 m). (B180.w3)
Males average 1.7 m (5 ft 8 inches); very large males may reach 2.1 - 2.5 m ( 7 - 8 feet). (B392.8.w8) Males in Europe up to 2.1 m. (B422.w14)
Females average 1.4 m (4 ft 8 inches). (B392.8.w8)
Siberia: males mean 1.86m, females mean 1.6m. (D243)
Males head and body length, measured over the curves, from 1.5 m (5 ft) to 2.2 m (7 ft). (B425)
Females head and body length, measured over the curves, from 1.37 m (4 ft 6 ins.) to 1.83 m (6 ft). (B425)
Size variations may be partly due to genetics but nutrition is involved since bears from small populations raised in zoos may get quite large. (B406.36.w36)

SUMMARY: Newborn cubs are about 203 - 280 mm (8 - 11 inches) long.
North American brown bear cubs measure about 8 - 9 inches (203 - 230 mm). (B288.w11)
Moscow zoo data: 230 - 280 mm (9 - 11 inches). (D243)
A female Kodiak bear cub, zoo born, was 27 cm (about 10.5 inches) long. (B288.w11)
Two newborn cubs were 8.25 and 8.5 inches (20.96 and 21.59 cm) long, from the crown of the head to the base of the tail. (J23.11.w3)

[brobear]

SUMMARY: Shoulder height is 0.9 - 1.5 m (3 - 4.9 ft).
Shoulder height: 0.9 - 1.5 m (3 - 4.9 ft). (B147, B285.w4)
Up to 1.5 m. (D243)
About 1.3 m (4ft 3 ins). (B180.w3)
0.9 - 1.5 m (3 - 5 ft). (B144)
[Height = highest point measured]

[brobear]

SUMMARY: The size and weight of these bears varies considerably between populations; in any given population, males average heavier than females. The heaviest brown bears have been recorded from populations with access to salmon in coastal Alaska. While individuals have been weighed at more that 1,000 lb (>454 kg), most are much lighter than this. Average weights are probably closer to 200 kg (450 lb) for males and 135 kg (300 lb) for females; however in some areas they are much smaller: in some populations in southern Europe average weight is as low as 70 kg, and in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, average weights were 92 kg for males, 55 kg for females. This wide variation may be due to both genetic factors and nutrition. Weight also shows large seasonal fluctuations; brown bears gain weight rapidly during late summer and autumn (fall), reach their maximum mass just before denning, then lose weight (up to 40% of total mass for females) over the winter hibernation.
Males average larger than females, in a given population. (B147)
Males average larger and heavier than females. (D243)
Males are about 1.2 to 2.2 times larger than females. (B490.26.w26)
150 - 780 kg (330 - 1,716 lb). (B144)
147 - 680 kg (324 - 499 lb) but with some individuals up to 700 kg (1,700 lb). (B180.w3)
Variable, 80 to more than 600 kg. (D243)
Weights vary considerable between populations. (D284.w3)
Size varies through the brown bear's range:
In southern Alaska and islands (e.g. Kodiak Island, Admiralty Island), these bears may reach 780 kg. (B147)
In Yellowstone in one study, 102 - 324 kg, average 181 kg. (B147)
In Europe males may reach to about 200 kg. (B422.w14)
In Northern Europe and Siberia usually about 150 - 250 kg. (B147)
In southern Europe, 70 kg. (B147)
The largest brown bears are those with fish or meat in their diets. (B285.w4)
In Europe, up to 200 kg (the Kodiak bear may reach 1,000 kg). (B421.w1)
The heaviest individuals are found in coastal Alaska. In Eurasia, weight increases from west to east with the largest found in coastal Siberia and Kamchatka. (D243)
Ursus arctos middendorffi - Alaskan brown bear usually reaches 360 - 545 kg by eight or nine years old and may reach 770 kg (1,700) lb. (B180.w3)
Individuals of 1,670 lb (for a Kodiak bear in a zoo) and 1,656 lb for another male Ursus arctos middendorffi from Kodiak Island have been recorded. (B288.w11)
Size variations may be partly due to genetics but nutrition is involved since bears from small populations raised in zoos may get quite large. (B406.36.w36)
Bears eating a lot of animal protein (salmon and ungulates) are heavier than those eating mainly vegetable matter. The heaviest weights are recorded for bears from coastal Alaska with access to salmon. (B490.26.w26)
In a given population, bears feeding at dump sites may be heavier than other bears not using this food resource. (D284.w3)
A comparison of data from various North American populations of brown bears found that body size was significantly correlated with diet (r = 0.87, p < 0.01). Bears with access to meat, and particularly salmon, had greater body mass than those on mainly vegetation diets. (J30.77.w3)
Bears gain weight considerably in the autumn, putting on fat before hibernation. (B147, B285.w4)
Bears gain weight, mainly as fat, rapidly in late summer and autumn (fall), reach peak mass just before hibernation, lose weight during hibernation and may continue losing mass after emerging from the den until food resources improve during spring. (B490.26.w26)

[brobear]

Males:
135 - 545 kg (300 - 1,200 lb), rarely up to 725 kg (1,600 lb). (B285.w4)
In southwest Yukon, males 139 kg. (B147)
The heaviest individuals are found in coastal Alaska: mean 389 kg; on islands (e.g. Kodiak) mean 312 kg. (D243)
Siberia males 140 - 320 kg. (D243)
Interior Alaska mean 243 kg. (D243)
West Brooks Range, Alaska, mean 155 kg. (D243)
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, mean 193 kg. (D243)
Interior of British Columbia, mean 117 kg. (D243)
Jasper National Park, Alberta, mean 92 kg. (D243)
Northern Yukon, mean 140 kg. (D243)
Northwestern Mackenzie, Northwest Territories, mean 159 kg. (D243)
In Russia, males may reach up to 400 kg (880 lb). (B288.w11)
Average about 200 kg (450 lb) and maximum usually up to 500 kg (1,100 lb). (B406.36.w36)
A study of northern interior Canadian grizzly bears in the Yukon found the average weight of 40 mature males to be 139 kg; the heaviest caught weighed 240 kg. (D283.w3)
Heaviest weights are recorded for bears from coastal Alaska: average 357 kg for males, versus 145 kg for males from the Yukon (B490.26.w26)
Varying from as low as 135 kg to as high as 389 kg, for means form different North American populations. (D284.w3)
One study found that males may lose about 20% of their body mass over hibernation, then gain 28% to the end of the following autumn. Other studies have shown 18%, 30% 24 and 25% weight loss over winter for adult males, and 34-50% weight gain. (D284.w3)
A study in Europe found that males from Sweden and Norway (northern Europe) had asymptotic body masses of 201 +/- 4 kg in spring, 273 +/- 6 kg in autumn, and males from Slovenia and Croatia (southern Europe) had asymptotic masses of 245 +/- 25 kg and autumn masses of 243 +/- 24 kg. The differences between southern and northern European bears were not significant. Northern bears gained weight in spring, while southern bears lost weight at this time; this was probably associated with more available protein-rich food in spring in the northern area. (J185.X.w1)

[brobear]

Females:
Average about 135 kg (300 lb), and maximum usually up to 280 kg (600 lb). (B406.36.w36)
Females may lose 40% of their body weight over winter while hibernating and producing and feeding cubs. (B285.w4)
In southwest Yukon, 95 kg. (B147)
The heaviest individuals are found in coastal Alaska: mean 207 kg; on islands (such as Kodiak) mean 202 kg. (D243)
Siberia females 100 - 200 kg. (D243)
Interior Alaska mean 117 kg. (D243)
West Brooks Range, Alaska, mean 112 kg. (D243)
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, mean 135 kg. (D243)
Interior of British Columbia, mean 58 kg. (D243)
Jasper National Park, Alberta, mean 55 kg. (D243)
Northern Yukon, mean 83 kg. (D243)
Northwestern Mackenzie, Northwest Territories, mean 99 kg. (D243)
A study of northern interior Canadian grizzly bears in the Yukon found the average weight of 21 females to be 95 kg; the heaviest caught weighed 125 kg. (D283.w3)
Heaviest weights are recorded for bears from coastal Alaska: average 226 kg for females, versus 98 kg for females from the Yukon. (B490.26.w26)
Varying from as low as 90-95 kg to as high as 202-213 kg, for means from different North American populations, and including seasonal variations. (D284.w3)
For an individual bear, variation in weight is greater in females than in males, both in relative and absolute terms; older females may vary their weight by as much as 70% of their spring weight. (B490.26.w26)
A study in Europe found that females from Sweden and Norway (northern Europe) had asymptotic body masses of 95 +/-2 kg in spring, 158 +/-4 kg in autumn, and females from Slovenia and Croatia (southern Europe) had asymptotic body masses of 115 +/- 9 kg in spring, 141 +/-9 kg in autumn. The differences between southern and northern European bears were not significant. Northern bears gained weight in spring, while southern bears lost weight at this time; this was probably associated with more available protein-rich food in spring in the northern area. (J185.X.w1)
A female lost 45 kg, an average of 378 g/day, over a period of 119 days while giving birth and suckling cubs, compared to 24 kg in 85 days the following winter when not pregnant. On average, bears in this study denned for just over three months, from late November/early December, to late February/early March, and lost 20-25% of their body mass over this time. (J200.34.w1)
A study of adult females during hibernation and lactation found that body mass was 161 +/- 10 kg; bears lost weight over hibernation, maintained body weight in summer and gained weight in fall (autumn). For non-lactating bears, mass loss during lactation averaged varied, being as much as 500 g/day in large individuals. In lactating females, mass loss in the den was 95% higher than for non-lactating individuals of the same mass. (J30.73.w3)

[brobear]

SUMMARY: Cubs weigh less than 1% of maternal weight, about 285 - 600 g (9 oz to 1 lb 5 oz).
Less than 1% of maternal weight. (B285.w4)
About 350 g. (B421.w1, B422.w14)
About 450 g (1 lb). (B180.w3)
400 - 500 g (14 - 18 oz). (B144)
About 500g. (D243, B490.26.w26)
Moscow zoo data: about 500 g. (D243)
For North American bears, about one and a half pounds. (B288.w11)
A female Kodiak bear cub, zoo born, was 600 g (1 lb 5 oz.). (B288.w11)
European brown bear cubs at the Paris Zoo weighed 265 - 380 g (about 9 - 13 oz). (B288.w11)
Zoo data for Ursus arctos middendorffi: 400 g average. (D247.6.w6)
736 g at eight days old, for two hand-reared Ursus arctos middendorffi (Kodiak bear) cubs at Buffalo Zoo. (J23.9.w3)
779.6 g (male) and 624 g (female) for twin Ursus arctos middendorffi (Kodiak bear) cubs at Houston Zoo. (J23.9.w4)
A study of three sets of mother-reared twins found a growth rate of 98 +/- 22 g/day during the hibernation period, to give cubs weighing 5.1 +/- 0.8 kg by the time of den emergence, followed by increased growth rate, reaching a maximum of 605 +/- 115 g/day. Pre-hibernation mass of the cubs was 102 kg. (J30.73.w3)

[brobear]

SUMMARY: Growth rate is highly variable depending on food intake. Hand-reared cubs have variously reached between about 1.7 and 2.5 kg by one month, 4.3 - 6.4 kg by two months, 7.4 - 8.5 kg by three months, 20 kg by four months and as much as 50 kg at seven months. Wild cubs may reach 15 kg at three months. In the wild, young-of-the-year may range from 2.0 - 27 kg and yearlings from 9 - 37 kg. Growth may continue after puberty (four to six years), even to 10-11 years of age in southern Alaska.
About 15 kg by three months old. (D243)
Young-of-the-year 2 - 27 kg; yearlings 9 - 37 kg. (D243)
Growth may continue after puberty (four to six years), even to 10-11 years of age in southern Alaska. (B147)
Both males and females continue growing throughout their lives; females reach 95% of their maximum weight by the time they are nine years old, but males reach 95% of their maximum weight at nearly 14 years of age. (B490.26.w26)
In cubs and yearlings, males and females may be similar in size, but sexual dimorphism may be apparent from the age of two years. (D284.w3)
A study of brown bears in Sweden found no difference in growth rates between males and females up to two years of age. (J396.54.w1)
Growth is rapid from six months to 2.5 years, then is more moderate, and is faster in males than in females, with females reaching 95% of their final size in most parameters by 4.5 years of age, while males show a growth rate twice as high as that of females from 6.5 to 15.5 years or more. Males reach their full size by age 6-11 (depending on which measurements are taken). (D284.w3)
For two hand-reared Ursus arctos middendorffi (Kodiak bear) cubs at Buffalo Zoo: (J23.9.w3)
Age (days) 8 15 22 29 36 43 50 57 64 71 78 85
Male (g) 736 1077 1303 1686 2210 2663 3458 4082 4875 5556 5781 6690
Female (g) 736 1077 1303 1756 2210 2663 3458 3968 4705 5385 5952 6633
For two hand-reared Ursus arctos middendorffi (Kodiak bear) cubs at Houston Zoo: (J23.9.w4)
Age (weeks) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 17
Male (g) 779.6 978 1602 2300 3260 4220 5050 5440 6420 7400 24,970
Female (g) 624 680 964 1660 2320 2980 3630 4310 5130 5440 18,160
For five orphaned hand-reared European brown bear cubs:
Age 29 - 43 days, 54 g weight gain per day (two cubs); age 44 - 81 day, 120 g weight gain/day (four cubs); age 82-114 days, weight gain/day 188 g (four cubs); age 115-133d, weight gain/day 101 g (five cubs); age 135-185 d, weight gain/day 101g (five cubs); age 222-305 d, weight gain/day 161 g (three cubs); age 306 - 684 d, weight gain/day 100 g (three cubs); age 685-1,387 d, weight gain/day 46 g (two cubs). Note: mass of hand-reared cubs averaged 1.3 to 2.7 times heavier than that of wild cubs of the same ages; this is due to greater food availability. (J54.12.w1)
For one Ursus arctos middendorffi (Kodiak bear): birth 600g; 8 days 715g; 15 days 1.5 kg; 29 days 2.515 kg; 36 days 3.025 kg; 49 days 4 kg; 71 days 6 kg; 92 days 8.5 kg; 4 months 13 kg; 5 months 21 kg; 6 months 32.5 kg; 7 months 50 kg. (J23.4.w1)
Zoo data for Ursus arctos middendorffi: average weight at one month 1.7 kg, at two months 4.3 kg and at three months 7.4 kg. (D247.6.w6)
A study of three sets of mother-reared twins found a growth rate of 98 +/- 22 g/day during the hibernation period, to give cubs weighing 5.1 +/- 0.8 kg by the time of den emergence, followed by increased growth rate, reaching a maximum of 605 +/- 115 g/day. Pre-hibernation mass of the cubs was 102 kg. During maternal hibernation, cubs gained 0.7 +/- 0.1 kg for every 1.0 kg of mass loss by their dam over the normal hibernating loss. (J30.73.w3)

[brobear]

Authors
Dr Debra Bourne MA VetMB PhD MRCVS (V.w5)
Referee
Djuro Huber (V.w101), Chuck Schwartz (V.w105)

[brobear]

academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/93/3/686/836176

Abstract
We modeled the growth in skull size of brown bears (Ursus arctos) using 11,651 individuals across 6 regions in Alaska with the von Bertalanffy function. The study areas varied greatly in habitat types and included coastal areas in south-central Alaska, interior regions, and the most northern reaches of the species' North American range. The top-ranking model supported region- and sex-specific growth curves. The large differences in parameter estimates of asymptotic size and the growth coefficient across regions were likely influenced by variation in habitat quality, especially the availability of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), and these differences relate to other known life-history traits. Contrary to other studies of North American bears, we found a strong hyperallometric relationship in sexual size dimorphism (SSD) where SSD increased with asymptotic size. This relationship supports sexual selection as the driving mechanism of SSD in brown bears. However, the variable intensity of sexual selection across these regions, as demonstrated through hyperallometry in SSD, is likely influenced by proximate factors such as variable food resources and population densities that vary by more than 2 orders of magnitude. The ecological implications of the variation in growth, size, and SSD of brown bears across their Alaskan range are substantial and need to be recognized and incorporated into area-specific management and conservation strategies.

Details on site.

[brobear]

The Big Boys of wrestling:
Haystacks Calhoun - 50's and 60's.
640 pounds,
Andre the Giant - 70's and 80's.
520 pounds.
The Big Show - 90's. 383 pounds.
Braun Stowman - 2018 385 pounds.

These were/are grizzly-size wrestlers.

[tom]

You forgot

King Kong Bundy 90's - 468 lbs.

Big John Stud 80's 90's - 365 lbs.

Bam Bam Bigalo 90's 389 lbs.

Jerry Blackwell 80's - 474 lbs.

[Deleted]

What about Brock Lesnar?

[brobear]

When I was a kid, I used to watch Haystacks. Just like Andre who appeared soon after Haystacks' hay-day ( actually no pun intended there ) no wrestler in the business could really beat the big guy. Braun Strowman is huge ( currently the biggest wrestler ) but in the past there have been bigger.

[tom]

Sept 20, 2018 16:35:28 GMT -5 BruteStrength said:

What about Brock Lesnar?

He's not big enough to be in this group.


This is the 300 + club.

[tom]

Brobear you remember Chris Taylor? Wrestled in the 72 Olympics and weighed over 400 lbs. He to did a stint in pro wrestling.

[brobear]

I do not remember him; but I found this:

[tom]

I hate to say it but this guy takes the cake. Happy Humphrey. 750 lbs.


en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Humphrey

[brobear]

HAPPY HUMPHREY - Several times, he weighed in at over 800 lb (360 kg), and on one occasion he weighed over 900 lb (410 kg)

But Haystacks could really move for such a human mountain of flesh. He was the best of the giants with the possible exception Andre. Both were gentle giants.

[brobear]

www.yahoo.com/news/dominant-brown-bear-returned-alaska-201818310.html

A dominant brown bear has returned to the Alaska bear cam, seeking fish and females
Mark Kaufman
,Mashable•June 25, 2018

Bear 747, one of the largest and most dominant Brooks River bears, has returned to his fishing grounds.

The brown bear is one of the first spotted this year on the five webcams positioned along the salmon-rich river in Katmai National Park, Alaska.

Former Katmai ranger Mike Fitz, who has returned to the park to report on the bears for explore.org — the philanthropic organization that sets up and supports bear cam — said he spied 747 recently, and has seen other dominant bears beginning to roam the verdant area.

Throughout most of June — which is considered the high mating season — the river is empty and the bear watching slow.

But come July, the 1.5-mile river teems with silver sockeye salmon, and the bears feast as the live webcams watch on.

Bear 747, given that number by park biologists, is an expected summertime visitor to the Brooks River. Biologists identified him as a subadult, or teenage bear, in 2004, and provided him a number he quickly grew into.

These brown bears can reach 1,000 pounds, and 747 is about as big as they come. After months of eating fatty fish this summer, 747 will likely become one of the heftiest bears on the river, if not the fattest of them all.

And in the bear world, big means dominant.

747 isn't without his competitors, but he has consistently been a top bear, and commands the prime fishing spots. Last year, when he eventually showed up, he proved quite formidable, according to Katmai National Park.

"In 2017, #747 was not regularly seen at Brooks Falls until fall," reads the park's 2018 Brooks River bears guide. "After arriving, he was commonly seen displacing the largest, most dominant bears and yielding to none."

At times, over 20 brown bears have been observed fishing at the Brooks River falls, though as the season progresses, the bears will fish in other parts of the river as well.

To spot the dominant bears come July, look at the large males likely sitting below the falls who grab salmon in their claws and teeth as the fish accumulate beneath the waterfall.

Each fish contains about 4,500 calories, and in July when the fish are plentiful, many bears like 747 may just eat the fattiest parts — the brains, skin, and eggs — leaving the rest for smaller or younger bears to scavenge.

The days are long in subarctic Alaska this time of year, so there's much time for viewing these wild creatures over the webcam.

Checking out the live stream from your couch is much easier than taking a floatplane to the remote park, landing on a glacial lake, and avoiding the bears roaming the beach while trying to make it to the ranger station.

This is deep bear country, so keep an eye out. The bears are coming.

[brobear]

Like a Boeing 747. A fit number for a big grizzly.