GRIZZLES

The life of Ursus arctos horribilis, the North American brown bear, also known as the grizzly. Once common in Alaska, Canada and the western US, grizzlies are now considered ``threatened'' in the lower 48 states, where they are found in just six areas, mostly in and near Glacier National Park. Color photos show the remarkable variety among brown bears: their fur may be black, silver, red, gray, grizzled, honey, or brown. The Kodiak brown bear may reach 1,500 pounds, while inland bears weigh as little as 150. Scientists suggest that their size is a function of diet; as one naturalist observed, ``Almost anything a grizzly found was food except granite.'' The appealing photos document grizzlies throughout the year: a craggy, snow-covered, hibernating bear snoozing on a snowbank; blind, newborn cubs snuggling; papa bear fishing and devouring salmon. Excellent detail and photos make this Nature Watch Book especially useful. Brief glossary and index. (Nonfiction. 8-12)