Pizzly bear
A pizzly bear is a hybrid bear offspring of a polar bear and a grizzly bear, also called a grolar bear or grizzly–polar bear hybrid.
A pizzly bear is a hybrid offspring of a polar bear and a grizzly bear, also called a grolar bear or grizzly–polar bear hybrid. The hybrid was first confirmed in the wild in 2006 in the Canadian Arctic. Pizzly bears are rare and are of interest to scientists because their occurrence may be linked to changing bear ranges.
Definition and naming
Pizzly bear is a common name for a polar bear–grizzly bear hybrid. Alternate names used in journalism and popular science include grolar bear, grizzly–polar bear hybrid, zebra bear, grizzlar, and nanulak. No official scientific species name is generally used for the hybrid.
Discovery in the wild
The first confirmed wild hybrid was identified in 2006 in the Canadian Arctic, near Sachs Harbour on Banks Island, Northwest Territories. Later reports have documented additional hybrids, distinguishing between captive hybrids and naturally occurring ones.
Appearance and traits
Pizzly bears exhibit intermediate physical features inherited from both parent species. Descriptions vary because hybrids are rare.
Ecology and causes of hybridization
Hybridization occurs when polar bear and grizzly bear ranges overlap. This overlap is often discussed in connection with changing habitats and sea-ice conditions, with climate change commonly cited as a factor.
Key facts
- A pizzly bear is a hybrid of a polar bear and a grizzly bear.
- The first confirmed wild example was identified in 2006 in the Canadian Arctic.
- The hybrid is also commonly called a grolar bear.
- Reports indicate that some hybrids can reproduce, unlike many animal hybrids.
- The species’ overlap is often discussed in relation to changing habitats and climate change.
The pizzly bear is strongly associated with the Canadian Arctic, where the first confirmed wild hybrid was documented in 2006 and where subsequent sightings and studies have focused on overlapping polar bear and grizzly bear ranges.[1][5][16][17]
Frequently asked questions
What is a pizzly bear?
Is a pizzly bear the same as a grolar bear?
Where was the first wild pizzly bear found?
Are pizzly bears fertile?
Why do polar bears and grizzly bears hybridize?
References
- North American Nature — https://northamericannature.com/what-is-a-pizzly-bear/Supports: Hybrid parentage; 2006 first wild confirmation; general description
- Fact Animal — https://factanimal.com/grolar-bear/Supports: Common names including grolar bear and pizzly bear
- Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly%E2%80%93polar_bear_hybridSupports: Alternate names; 2006 Canadian Arctic confirmation; captive and wild occurrence
- The Science Survey — https://thesciencesurvey.com/news/2021/06/16/an-analysis-of-the-pizzly-bear/Supports: Alternate names; physical traits; approximate size descriptions
- Polar Bears International — https://polarbearsinternational.org/news-media/articles/pizzlies-grolars-polar-bear-grizzly-hybrid/Supports: Rarity of hybrids; observed first- and second-generation hybrids in the Canadian Arctic
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History — https://carnegiemnh.org/climate-change-pizzly-bear/Supports: 2006 wild breeding confirmation; overlap of polar bears and grizzlies