Four of a Kind

A quartet of Grizzly cubs pose to survey their new surroundings not long after leaving the den for the first time.  Born during the winter months of January or February, Grizzly cubs arrive blind, toothless, and hairless and weigh only about one pound.  They will grow quickly, nursing on their mother's rich milk (33% fat), while she continues to hibernate, and emerge from the den by mid-May ready to greet the outdoor world.  The cubs will stay with their mom for a least 2 years before they can fend for themselves.  Grizzly bears typically have two cubs, sometimes only one and occasionally a litter of three.  To have four cubs is an extremely rare event.

This fabulous foursome was lucky enough to be born to an already world famous mother, Grizzly Bear 399.  She lives in Grand Teton National Park in the mountains of Wyoming and to date has had 7 litters producing 17 cubs including 3 previous sets of triplets.  This prolific bear is also grandmother to 8 cubs and great grandmother to 2 more.  She is now 25 years old at the time of this printing.  Grizzlies in the wild may live from 20 to 30 years of age with the oldest known bear making it to the ripe old age of 34.