The cubs will remain with the female for their first two or three years, during which time she does not breed. They occur in all major biogeoclimatic areas and utilize habitats ranging from coastal estuaries to alpine meadows. Habitat use is primarily influenced by food availability, the presence of suitable denning and mating sites, and the presence of other bears. The area used by a specific bear is known as its home range. Home ranges vary in size depending on the individual bear and the locality, ranging from less than fifty to hundreds of square kilometres.
Coastal bears tend to have smaller home ranges than do interior grizzlies.
Home ranges of males are generally larger than those of females. Although scientifically classed as a carnivore, grizzly bears are actually omnivores. Their diet includes vegetation, berries, insects, small and large mammals. Diet varies throughout the year depending on local availability and abundance of food. Diet of interior and coastal bears differs considerably due to differences in vegetation and the relatively few salmon runs available to interior bears.