The Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) is a large mammal in the Ursidae family of brown bears. It is also known as the Himalayan Red Bear, the Isabelline Bear or the Dzu-Teh. It is an ursid.
The Himalayan Brown Bear has dense sandy-brown to reddish-brown fur. It has a round head, wide skull, small ears, small eyes, and a mouth with 42 sharp teeth. It also has large, powerful paws with ten long, sharp claws.
It can grow to 130-220 centimetres (51-87 inches). Its claws measure 10 centimetres (4 inches) long.
It is found in the Himalayan mountain regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India, Nepal, and China.
The Himalayan Brown Bear is an omnivore. It has a varied diet, ranging from grasses, herbs, roots, berries, nuts, as well as insects, mammals, and fish.
It hibernates in winter. It goes into a den or cave to sleep.
The female Himalayan Brown Bear is pregnant for 180-266 days, before giving birth to one bear cub.
It can live for 25-30 years in the wild.
Location of photograph: Tashkent Zoo, Uzbekistan
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM