[adamrezich]

colloquially, the distinction is "black and brown bears" (ursus americanus) and "grizzly bears" (ursus arctos horribilis), at least around here. I hadn't heard of "brown bear" referring to a grizzly until this thread.

colloquial semantics aside though, my point stands: ursus arctos horribilis are mean mofos, ursus americanus are generally chill bros. they're my favorite animal—my grandfather was a dentist, and his friend and fellow dentist Doc Casey founded Bear Country USA, a drive-through zoo, here in the Black Hills. ursus americanus walk up to and by your cars, chill in ponds and trees, and are generally cool to be around. one of Doc Casey's sons was my godfather, and he lived with his family in a house in the middle of Bear Country, and we'd drive through the park backwards after hours to visit them when I was young. somewhere one of my parents has a VHS tape with an ursus americanus cub playing with my dog.

Bear Country used to have grizzlies, in a separate pen with multiple layers of barbed wire and electric fencing, but I think they don't have any anymore because they were too much trouble.

whenever you see a funny bear video online, it's an ursus americanus—they're kind of bumbling, funny creatures, until provoked. ursus arctos horribilis are savage killers by comparison.

[FetusP]

I lived in bear country, and still live relatively close and visit all the time. I think it's just generally safe to assume if someone says brown bear, it's a grizzly. Like the old saying doesn't work as well like

If it's black, fight back

If it's ursus arctos horribilis, lay down

If it's white, goodnight.

[adamrezich]

fair enough!