They have a very short, stubby tail, just like all bears. The coloration and body structure of the brown bear is the most various of all bear species. They all have sturdy frames, with a snout that looks concave when viewed in profile. The brown bears' broad muzzle houses 42 teeth, which include two large canines. Their relatively small ears are often concealed by the winter coat, and are more conspicuous in summertime after they have shed their winter coat.
Many brown bears have a noticeable hump above their shoulders.
Many brown bears exhibit a grizzling effect on their coats, where the tip is lighter colored than the rest of the hair shaft. The brown bear is the most widespread bear species. They can be found over most of Europe, North America, and northern Asia. The most stable populations of brown bear are found in North America and Russia. In North America, they are found mainly in the northwestern regions of Alaska, Canada and a few scattered populations in the northwestern United States.