Kermode Bear
Calling the central coast of British Columbia, Canada home is the Kermode Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), a subspecies of the American Black Bear. This bear is also known as the ‘Spirit Bear‘. This subspecies ranges on the coast from Prince Rupert, BC, to Princess Royal Island. Inland, the Kermode Bear ranges all the way to Hazelton, BC. This entire area has been seen heavy logging for a long time.
The Kermode Bear is known for a strange anomaly; about one tenth of their overall population have cream-colored coats. They are not albino, and they are not related to Polar Bears. The cream-colored fur may be due to a recessive gene in the species’ gene pool, however, additional research needs to be done for a definitive answer. Other Kermode Bears are all black in coloration.
In the forests of British Colombia, the Kermode Bear feeds on salmon, berries and green vegetation. Like other bears, the Kermode Bear seeks refuge during the winter months, and hibernate. Old hollow trees, caves and other dens are used to protect them from the Canadian winter.
The Kermode Bear, or Spirit Bear, holds a special significance to the Canadian First Nations/American Indian populations of the area, mainly due to their coloration. The Kermode Bear was named by the zoologist William Hornaday, and was named after his colleague, Francis Kermode.
The premier of British Colombia, through a speech in 2006, announced his intentions to make the Kermode Bear the official animal of the province.
Kermode Bear Classification
| - Kingdom: Animalia |
| - Phylum: Chordata |
| - Class: Mammalia |
| - Order: Carnivora |
| - Family: Ursidae |
| - Genus: Ursus |
| - Subspecies: Ursus americanus |
| - Species: Ursus americanus kermodei |