Here's a breakdown of what grizzly bears eat:
Plant Matter:
* Berries: A major food source, especially in late summer and fall. They love berries like blueberries, huckleberries, and salmonberries.
* Roots and Bulbs: They dig for roots and bulbs like camas, wild onions, and other plants.
* Grasses and Sedges: They graze on these, especially in the spring and early summer.
* Nuts and Seeds: They eat nuts like acorns, pine nuts, and other seeds.
Animal Matter:
* Fish: Grizzly bears are famous for catching salmon in rivers, especially during the salmon runs. They also eat other fish like trout.
* Mammals: They prey on elk, deer, moose, caribou, and even smaller animals like rodents, ground squirrels, and marmots.
* Carrion: They are scavengers and will readily eat dead animals.
* Insects: They eat ants, grubs, and other insects.
* Birds: They may prey on birds and their eggs.
Grizzly bears are opportunistic eaters and will take advantage of whatever food sources are available to them. Their diet can vary greatly depending on the season, location, and availability of food.