The Kermode bear /ˈkɜːrˌmoʊdi/ (Ursus americanus kermodei), also known as the "spirit bear" (particularly in British Columbia), is a subspecies of the American black bear living in the Central and North Coast regions of British Columbia, Canada.[1]
It is the official provincial mammal of British Columbia.[2] It is noted for about 1⁄10 of their population having white or cream-coloured coats.
This colour is due to a double recessive gene unique in the subspecies. They are not albinos[1] and not any more related to polar bears or the "blonde"brown bears of Alaska's "ABC Islands" than other members of their species.
Sometimes, a black mother can have a white cub.
It is the official provincial mammal of British Columbia.[2] It is noted for about 1⁄10 of their population having white or cream-coloured coats.
This colour is due to a double recessive gene unique in the subspecies. They are not albinos[1] and not any more related to polar bears or the "blonde"brown bears of Alaska's "ABC Islands" than other members of their species.
Sometimes, a black mother can have a white cub.