Bears
Bears are some of the world’s largest and most feared mammals, and are classified into the Ursidae family. They are part of the Carnivora order, and further separated into the Caniformia suborder (dog-like carnivores). Bears are found all over the planet, even though there are only 8 living species. They live in all different types of habitats as well. Continents where bears are found are North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Most people would be able to recognize a bear, whether it be from television, movies, or even old bedtime stories. Bears sport a very large body, short, stocky legs with plantigrade paws and five, large, non-retractable claws, a short tail, a long snout and long, shaggy hair. Bears have a highly developed sense of smell, are very quick runners despite their bulk, and can also climb trees and swim very well.
Even though Bears are classified as carnivores, six of the eight species are omnivores, all with widely varying diets. The exceptions are the Polar Bear, which is mostly carnivorous, and the Giant Panda, which is mostly herbivorous. As far as shelter goes, Bears use caves and other burrow like areas for their dens. These dens are also used during the winter months for elongated sleep periods; known as hibernation.
Bears are generally considered solitary animals, except during courting season and when mothers are tending after their cubs. They are also mostly nocturnal (active at night) or crepuscular (active at dawn or dusk), but they can also be seen during the day (diurnal).
Bear Statistics
Average Length: Varies, See species
Average Weight: Varies, See species
Distribution: Varies, See species
Bear Classification
| - Kingdom: Animalia |
| - Phylum: Chordata |
| - Class: Mammalia |
| - Order: Carnivora |
| - Suborder: Caniformia |
| - Family Ursidae (Bears) |
| - Subfamily Ailuropodinae |
| - Ailuropoda melanoleuca (Giant Panda) |
| - Ailuropoda minor (Dwarf Panda) (Extinct) |
| - Subfamily Tremarctinae |
| - Tremarctos ornatus (Spectacled Bear) |
| - Tremarctos floridanus (Florida Cave Bear) (Extinct) |
| - Arctodus pristinus (Extinct) |
| - Arctodus simus (Giant Short-faced Bear) (Extinct) |
| - Arctotherium brasilense (Brazilian Short-faced Bear) (Extinct) |
| - Arctotherium latidens (Argentine Short-faced Bear) (Extinct) |
|
- Subfamily Ursinae |
| - Ursus arctos (Brown Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos arctos (Eurasian Brown Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos crowtheri (Atlas Bear) (Extinct) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos gobiensis (Gobi Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos horribilis (Grizzly Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos isabellinus (Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Red Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos middendorffi (Kodiak Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos piscator (Bergman’s Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos pruinosus (Tibetan Blue Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus arctos syriacus (Syrian Brown Bear) |
| - Ursus americanus (American Black Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus americanus cinnamomum (Cinnamon Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus americanus kermodei (Kermode Bear) |
| - Ursus maritimus (Polar Bear) |
| - Ursus thibetanus (Asiatic Black Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus thibetanus formosanus (Formosan Black Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus |
| - Subspecies: Ursus thibetanus japonicus |
| - Subspecies: Ursus thibetanus laniger |
| - Subspecies: Ursus thibetanus mupinensis |
| - Subspecies: Ursus thibetanus thibetanus |
| - Subspecies: Ursus thibetanus ussuricus |
| - Melursus ursinus (Sloth Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Melursus ursinus inornatus (Sri Lankan Sloth Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Melursus ursinus ursinus (Indian Sloth Bear) |
| - Helarctos malayanus (Sun Bear) |
| - Subspecies: Helarctos malayanus euryspilus (Borneo Sun Bear) |
| - Ursus deningeri (Deninger’s Bear) (Extinct) |
| - Ursus etruscus (Etruscan Bear) |
| - Ursus inopinatus (MacFarlane’s Bear) |
| - Ursus minimus (Auvergne Bear) |
| - Ursus spelaeus (European Cave Bear) |