Not all black bears are black. The species can come in a variety of colors from black to brown, cream, white, or blue. The blue bears, or Glacier bears, are silvery blue and a rare treat to see. Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska is where most of the blue bear population is concentrated, although they are sometimes spotted in the Tongass National Forest or in Juneau. Visit Glacier Bay National Park near Juneau to have a chance at seeing a rare blue Glacier bear in the wild.
Glacier Bay National Park is in Southeast on the Alaska panhandle to the west of Juneau. This area is strikingly beautiful with crisp mountains and deep blue seas.
daihung | Flickr
In total, the park and preserve cover 5,130 square miles, most of which is designated wilderness area. Most visitors access the park by sea or float plane.
Héctor Mota | Flickr
Many different kinds of bears live in Glacier Bay National park including American black bears, Glacier bears and Grizzly bears.
mark byzewski | Flickr
Glacier bears are a unique variation of the black bear and were designated as the subspecies of the American Black Bear as Ursus americanus emmonsii in 1895.
mark byzewski | Flickr
The “blue” coloring of the bears fur is a recessive gene and hair color appears to be the only difference. Glacier bears are some of the most rare bears in the world, with little information known about them or their population.
National Park Service | Wikipedia
Blue bears can be born to two parents that are completely black in color and little blue cubs with a black bear mother have been photographed.
National Park Service | Wikipedia
Another subspecies of American black bear is the Kermode bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) that appear white. They are also called Spirit Bears and live exclusively in the coastal rainforests on the islands off British Columbia, Canada.
Maximilian Helm | Flickr
Like other bears in the northern climates, Glacier bears take to their dens in the fall after fattening up on salmon and hibernate until the Spring.
beingmyself | Flickr
Visit Glacier Bay National Park to see the habitat of the rare Glacier Bear, and maybe catch a glimpse of this beautiful creature found only in Alaska.
Lincoln Spaulding | Flickr
For other bear viewing opportunities, check out This Magical Rainforest Sanctuary In Alaska Looks Like Something Out Of A Dream.
daihung | Flickr
Héctor Mota | Flickr
mark byzewski | Flickr
National Park Service | Wikipedia
Maximilian Helm | Flickr
beingmyself | Flickr
Lincoln Spaulding | Flickr
Have you even seen a Glacier bear? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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