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Grizzly and Cinnamon Black Bear Comparison

Colour alone can not be used to tell the difference between Black and Grizzly Bears. Black Bears in British Columbia can often be what is called “Cinnamon Black Bears”. This is a colour morph commoner in western Canada than the rest of the country. They appear lighter and more cinnamon or even reddish. They are often mistakenly labelled as Grizzly Bears by the casual observer.

Black Bears have smaller heads and can appear to have bigger ears than Grizzly Bears. This is a Cinnamon Black Bear in Wells Gray Provincial Park, BC
Notice the larger head, smaller and more rounded looking ears, and large shoulder hump of this female Grizzly Bear. This one was in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola, BC
Another adult Cinnamon Black Bear. Larger looking/more distinct ears, no shoulder hump, and short fur on its face. This female was photographed on the Cassiar Highway near Boya Lake in northern BC
Shaggier looking overall, especially on its face. Large circular face, huge shoulder hump, grizzled fur, smaller looking ears. This Grizzly Bear was seen near in the Rocky Mountains near Jasper, AB
A very thick Cinnamon Black Bear. This one has a rounded face because of its size. No shoulder hump and big and pointy looking ears. Notice the shorter fur on its face. This one was in Wells Gray Provincial Park, BC
Things can get tricky. This is a juvenile Grizzly Bear. There is almost no should hump because of its posture. Notice the long shaggy fur on its face. The ears look huge but are rounded. Fur colour is grizzled (grey streaked), not reddish/cinnamon at all. Near Bella Coola, BC
A partial view of a very large Cinnamon Black Bear in Jasper National Park, AB
A young Grizzly Bear in Jasper National Park, AB. Big head, clear shoulder hump, and smaller looking ears.
A lighter coloured Black Bear sow with three cubs. Two cubs are cinnamon and one is black. Kamloops, BC
A smaller Grizzly Bear. No visible should hump but a very rounded face with smaller rounded ears. Huge claws visible on this one. Black Bears have smaller claws more suitable to climbing trees. Bella Coola, BC
A mother Black Bear and cub. Appears to have somewhat of a shoulder hump because of posture but notice the large pointy ears. Fur is cinnamon but not grizzled. Kamloops, BC
A very healthy Grizzly Bear in Jasper National Park, AB. Big head, clear shoulder hump.
A very light Black Bear in Wells Gray Provincial Park, BC
A very large adult Grizzly Bear in Hyder, Alaska
A dark Cinnamon Black Bear in Kamloops, BC
A very large Grizzly Bear showing its huge head.
A Cinnamon Black Bear in Wells Gray Provincial Park, BC
The definition of grizzled fur on this Grizzly Bear in Jasper National Park, AB
An adult sow Grizzly Bear in Jasper National Park, AB

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