Grizzly bears are incredibly fast on land, capable of reaching speeds of 35mph over short distances but they are also quite adept in water and are surprisingly good swimmers. Unlike polar bears, grizzlies are not known for swimming great distances but they have been observed swimming up to 2 miles to feast on island bound ground-nesting birds in Alaska.
Grizzly bears’ thick fur and high body fat content help them with buoyancy and insulation in cold water. Interestingly, grizzly bears share the same natural instinct as domestic dogs to shake off water helping them dry quickly and conserve energy like this one who was filmed exiting a river in Grand Teton National Park.
As a reminder to guests of Grand Teton National Park, visitors are required to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and rely on their camera zoom to get incredible wildlife footage like this rather than approaching them. Learn more about safely viewing wildlife at Grand Teton National Park below.
Glacier National Park Wildlife Viewing Safety Guidelines:
-Don’t approach or chase wildlife.
-Maintain a distance of at least 100 yards (300 feet) from bears and wolves and 25 yards (75 feet) from all other wildlife.
-Never put yourself between an adult animal and its offspring.
-Do not feed any wild animal.
