The 8 Different Species of Bears

Bears are mammals that belong to the Ursidae family. Depending on the species, they can be four to eight feet long and weigh anywhere from 60 to over a thousand pounds. Their vision and hearing are underdeveloped, so they hunt primarily by smell. Bears can live up to 25 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity. There are currently eight bear species known to science. Each species has its unique features and habitat. They can be found in North and South America, Asia, and Europe. Polar Bear The largest bear in the world and the Arctic's top predator, polar bears can grow to 8 feet tall and weigh between 900 to 1,600 pounds, as much as 10 men. The polar bear's Latin name, Ursus maritimus, means "sea bear." It is aptly named as polar bears are classified as marine mammals and spend most of their lives on the sea ice. Polar bears are perfectly adapted to their environment, with thick fur coats and large powerful paws. They are very good swimmers and can stay submerged for up to two minutes at a time. Polar bears are mostly solitary animals, although they will sometimes form small groups. They are very strong and fast runners and have been known to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h. The polar bear species are carnivores with an average life span of 25-30 years in the wild. Asiatic Black Bears (Moon Bears) Asiatic black bears are known as ‘moon bears’ because of the distinctive crescent-shaped stripe across their chests. They are a subspecies of the black bear found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The largest populations are found in China and Russia. These bears are mostly solitary animals, only coming together during the breeding season. They are mostly herbivorous species and grow to be 45-75 inches tall and weigh 88 to 440 pounds. Asiatic black bears are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, mostly due to habitat loss and hunting. They have a lifespan of about 25 years. They are highly intelligent and have an extensive vocabulary of sounds. North American Black Bears American black bears are the most common bears in North America. They grow to around 5 to 6 feet long and weigh 200 to 600 pounds. Black bears, despite their name, can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown, cinnamon, or even (but very rarely) white. Black bears are good climbers and swimmers. They typically live in forests, but they can also be found in mountains, swamps, and even in cities. Black bears are not usually aggressive towards humans, but they can be dangerous if they feel threatened. The North American black bears have an average lifespan of 20 years. Black bears eat a variety of things, including fruits, nuts, leaves, and even other animals. Some black bears have a taste for human food or garbage. So remember: Please don't feed the bears! Sloth Bears Sloth bears are nocturnal bears that are only found in the forests of Central and South America. They grow to around 5 to 6 feet long and weigh from 120 to 310 pounds. They are reclusive bears that look shaggy, dusty, and unkempt with long, curved claws that help them climb trees. They are good swimmers and can climb fast when they need to. Sloth bears mostly eat insects, but they will also eat fruits and plants. They live up to 40 years in captivity. Their love of honey has given them the nickname of honey bear. Sadly, their current population is declining and they are considered vulnerable. Spectacled Bears (Andean Bears) The spectacled bear, also called the Andean bear, lives in South America's dense Andean jungles. They are named after their slow-moving habits and are the only species of bear found in the region. Andean males grow over 5 feet in length and weigh up to 340 pounds. Females, on the other hand, rarely weigh more than 180 pounds. Sloth bears are excellent climbers and can even hang upside down from branches. They are shy, solitary animals that are generally nocturnal and are primarily vegetarian. Occasionally, they will eat some meat like small rodents, birds, and insects. Sloth bears are gentle giants and are mostly harmless to humans, but they can be fierce predators when it comes to other animals. They live about 25 years in captivity. Giant Pandas Wild pandas can only be found in remote mountainous areas of central China. They have big, round heads, small ears, and distinct black-and-white coloring. Their bodies are stout and muscular, with short legs and large, slightly curved claws. They can grow to be 4 to 5 feet tall and weigh 300 pounds on average. They have a diet consisting mostly of bamboo but sometimes they will eat birds or rodents as well. Newborn pandas are blind, deaf and furless so for the first 6 months they rely entirely on their mother’s protection. Giant pandas can live up to 20 years in the wild. Giant pandas are an endangered species, with only around 1,600 of them living in the wild today. Brown Bears Brown bears live in the forests and mountains of northern North America, Europe, and Asia. They are the most common bear species on the planet, Grizzly Bears are included in this category. Adult brown bears are powerful, top-of-the-food chain predators that average 5 to 8 feet and weigh around 700 pounds. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, and are known for their intelligence and strength. They have an average life span of 25 years in the wild. Brown bears, despite their enormous size, can travel as fast as 30 miles per hour. They can be dangerous to humans, especially if they are startled or if a person gets in the way of a mother bear and her cubs. Sun Bears Sun bears, also known as Malayan sun bears, are found from southern China to eastern India and as far south as Indonesia. Their name comes from the bib-shaped golden or white patch on their chest, which legend says represents the rising sun. They are the smallest member of the bear family, growing between 4 to 5 feet and weighing 60 to 150 pounds. Despite their small size, sun bears are powerful creatures, and are adept at climbing trees and swimming. In the wild, they are mostly active at night, and spend their days foraging for food or resting in the shade. They have an average lifespan of upto 25 years in the wild. They, like sloth bears, have “honey bear” as a nickname because of their love of honey and distinctive long tongue for extracting honey from bee nests. Save the Bears Bears are one of the most fascinating animals in the world. They are massive, yet gentle creatures that have been known to befriend humans. However, their populations are declining at an alarming rate due to deforestation, hunting, and other human activity. Other challenges include food scarcity and climate change, particularly for polar bears who rely on ice to hunt, mate, and travel. Six species, including the polar bear and the giant panda, are listed as threatened or vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Animal Farm wants to invite you to take part in helping save the bears. How can you help? There are some small steps you can take. Support by promoting a shift towards clean renewable energy, minimizing human contact with bears, and increasing awareness by speaking up about your climate control solution! By donating to organizations that are working to protect them, spreading awareness about the importance of bear conservation, and speaking up when we see injustice, we can make a difference. We can also help by reducing our own impact on the bear population. This means things like not feeding them or leaving trash where they can access it. It's time to take action to save the bears. Let's make sure that these incredible animals are around for generations to come.