Ursus americanus
American Black Bear
Highly adaptable omnivore found in forests and wild edges across much of the U.S. and Canada.
Where: Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Rockies…
Wildlife Atlas
Bears of the United States
Explore each bear species with range, habitat, conservation notes, and (soon) interactive sightings + hotspots.
Ursus arctos horribilis
Grizzly Bear (Lower 48)
In the contiguous U.S., grizzlies persist mainly in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide ecosystems, with recovery efforts focused on connectivity and conflict reduction.
Where: Montana, Wyoming, Idaho
Ursus maritimus
Polar Bear
In the U.S., polar bears occur in Alaska and are largely dependent on sea ice for hunting; sea-ice decline is a central threat.
Where: Alaska (Arctic coast)
Ursus arctos middendorffi
Kodiak Bear
A distinct brown bear population limited to Alaska’s Kodiak Archipelago; size and ecology are strongly shaped by coastal food systems.
Where: Alaska (Kodiak Archipelago)