Grizzly cubs – different size and colour

grizzly cubs size matters
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This photo shows that grizzly bear cubs are often different colours and can be quite different in size even though they are siblings. The size difference is often a result of one being a male and more aggressive than a female. This means first to nurse and the first to solid food once they are on the beach in the spring. It could also be due to the fact that siblings may have different fathers as females will mate with multiple males. A genetically larger male may produce a larger cub.  And the difference in colour is a result of the different mating partners. As the season progress and salmon become more of their diet the oils will cause the fur to darken but these are “spring cubs” and salmon are not in the rivers.