Here's a breakdown of their prey:
Large Prey:
* Elk: Especially important for bears in the fall, when elk are fat and vulnerable.
* Moose: Although difficult to kill, they are sometimes targeted.
* Bighorn Sheep: A challenging prey, but bears will take advantage of weak or young sheep.
* Caribou: Important prey in areas where they are abundant.
* Deer: Especially fawns and yearlings, but larger deer are also taken.
Smaller Prey:
* Fish: Grizzlies are adept at catching salmon in rivers, especially during spawning season.
* Ground squirrels: A common prey in areas with high squirrel populations.
* Marmots: Another small mammal that bears will hunt.
* Birds: Bears will eat birds and their eggs when available.
* Small rodents: Mice, voles, and other rodents are part of a bear's diet.
* Beavers: Sometimes hunted, but often scavenged.
Other Foods:
* Berries: A major food source, especially in the summer.
* Roots: Grizzlies dig for roots and tubers.
* Grasses: A significant portion of their diet, especially in the spring.
* Carrion: They are scavengers and will readily eat dead animals.
Factors Affecting Prey:
The specific prey a grizzly bear hunts depends on:
* Location: Different areas have different prey available.
* Time of year: The availability of prey changes seasonally.
* Individual bear: Some bears are more skilled hunters than others.
It's important to remember that while grizzly bears are powerful predators, they are primarily scavengers. They will take advantage of easy prey opportunities but also rely heavily on plants, berries, and carrion.