Nonfiction Text Structures #1

Scientists remind people repeatedly- DO NOT FEED BEARS. Why is this so important? Bears that are fed become comfortable being around humans, and are more likely to damage property or injure someone. When bears become comfortable around humans, they are often eventually destroyed when they are in search of food and approach a person who is frightened by the bear. They are also more likely to cause a vehicle accident, which can cause injury (or death) to the bear and the humans involved. Humans can help protect bears simply by remembering not to feed them.

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The sun bear is the smallest of all bears. It gets its name from the golden or white patch of fur on its chest that legend says represents the rising sun. Short, black fur covers the rest of its body. The sun bear grows four to five feet tall and weighs between 60 and 150 pounds. Because of its size and facial features, it has been nicknamed “the dog bear”. It has also been nicknamed the “honey bear” because of its long tongue- perfect for extracting honey from bee hives. The sun bear is nocturnal and extremely shy and reclusive.

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Two bears call the continental United States home- the black bear and the Grizzly bear. Both are omnivores that feed on plants and animals. Both species are solitary animals, living alone most of the time.

There are, however, many differences between the two species. The Grizzly bear is usually larger, growing to 8 feet and weighing 800 pounds. The black bear grows to 5-6 feet tall and weighs between 200 and 600 pounds. Grizzly bears are always brown, whereas black bears can be black, brown, and even (rarely) white. When winter arrives, Grizzlies hibernate, while black bears go into a dormant state.

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As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, very few people would argue that the Grand Canyon is a place of epic beauty. What happened to cause this beautiful, unique place to exist? There are two major causes of the Grand Canyon we see today. The first major cause is constant erosion by the Colorado River. This fast-moving river has continued to cut through layer upon layer of rock for millions of years. The second major cause is the uplift of the Colorado Plateau. The Plateau has pushed upward 5,000-10,000 feet while the Colorado River has carried away rock, resulting in the Grand Canyon.

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Hiking in the mountains can be a beautiful experience. Stunning waterfalls and hidden lakes can take your breath away. There are dangers, though, too. An encounter with a bear can be deadly. This possibility need not stop you from hiking, however. There are several things you can do to protect yourself from a bear. Hike in groups and make noise occasionally. If you see a bear, do not run. Rather, walk calmly away from it. Serious hikers who intend to hike in isolated areas should carry bear spray. If a bear is charging, you should direct the spray in the bear’s face. Beingprepared is key if you are hiking in areas inhabited by bears.

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The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a U-shaped bridge that extends over the edge of the canyon and towers over the Colorado River 800 feet below. The skywalk is made of a very thick glass floor and sides, making it transparent. It was designed to withstand strong winds. It is owned by the Hualapai Indian tribe. It opened to visitors in 2007.

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The Grand Canyon is a unique place on Earth, and humans have been drawn to it for a very long time. 12,000-year-old human artifacts have been discovered within the canyon, and Native Americans have lived there ever since. Americans began to explore the area in the 1850s. It was named a Forest Reserve in 1893. It became a National Monument in 1908. It was finally awarded National Park status in 1919, a full three years after the National Park Service was established. In 1919, 44,173 people visited the park. Today, close to 5 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park each year.

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Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon are both national parks located in the Southwest-ern United States known for their stunning beauty and their amazing geologic features. There are many hiking opportunities at both parks, including overnight hikes.

There are also several differences between the two parks, however. Bryce Canyon is located in Utah, while the Grand Canyon is in Arizona. The Grand Canyon was formed by river erosion, while Bryce Canyon was formed by frost and steam erosion. The Grand Canyon is deeper and hosts more visitors than Bryce Canyon.

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