Bears

Let's Learn About Bears

Word of the Week

Hibernation

Hibernation is a long period of inactivity that typically occurs during the winter. During hibernation, animals reduce their activity level, body temperature, and metabolism.

American black bears and some subspecies of brown bears hibernate, though scientists disagree if it is true hibernation or just a period of low activity.

Fast Facts

Where do bears live?

Bears live on 4 continents in a huge variety of habitats.

Bears live in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Some species, like sun bears, live in tropical forests while others, like the polar bear, live in freezing Arctic ecosystems. Pandas live in bamboo forests while Andean bears in the cloud forests of the Andes mountains.

What do bears eat?

It depends on the species.

Bears are often thought of a ferocious carnivores, but only one species is a true carnivore--the polar bear! Pandas are herbivores eating mostly bamboo, while all other species are omnivores. Their diet often changes with the season as different food becomes available.

What traits do bears share?

Bears are large mammals that...

Have small, rounded ears.
Have sharp claws.
Have an excellent sense of smell.
Have tiny tails.

How many bears are there?

There are 8 species of bears!

The largest species is the polar bear, the smallest species is the sun bear. The other six species are the American black bear, brown bear, Andean bear, Asiatic black bear, panda bear, and sloth bear.

Species Spotlight

Asiatic Black Bear

Ursus thibetanus

Asiatic black bears, also known as moon bears, are native to the forests throughout many parts of southern Asia. Like with all bears, males tend to be larger than females. Male Asiatic black bears average about 300 lbs, but large males can weigh more than 400 lbs! Even with their large size, Asiatic black bears are impressive climbers. Like their close relatives, American black bears, along with sun bears and Andean bears, Asiatic black bears are semi-arboreal, meaning they spend of their lives up in the trees. They have very strong arms and have been observed climbing without using their back legs at all! When resting or hibernating, Asiatic black bears will often use tree cavities high off the ground as well as in caves or dens on the ground.

While many people picture bears as ferocious carnivores, Asiatic black bears are actually omnivores. Most of their diet consists of insects, beetle larvae, eggs, mushrooms, grasses, and fruit. Their diet also changes with the season! As seasons change, different bugs, fruits, and seeds become avabile. When food is plentiful, Asiatic black bears will gorge themselves to develop fat stores. When food becomes scarce, Asiatic black bears will either adjust their diet or hibernate until food becomes more available. Like most forest animals, Asiatic black bears are threated by deforestation and we can all do our part by buying products with sustainable palm oil, buying sustainably harvested paper products, and by reducing our greenhouse gas production.

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More Moon Bear Facts

Conservation Corner

Threats to Bears

With 8 species of bears on 4 continents in a huge variety of habitats, they face an incredible amount of threats. Different species face different threats. Bears of the same species even face different threats in different parts of their range. Let's look at what is threatening bear populations.

Climate Change

From the tundra to the rainforest, Earth's changing climate is affected bears (and every other animal!). The sea ice that polar bears depend is shrinking. The changing temperatures affect plants blooming and producing seeds, which changes food availability. Extreme droughts and floods are also affecting food availability.

Habitat Loss

As the human population continues to grow and expand, wildlife is being displaced. Forests, including the sun bear's rainforest, the panda's bamboo forest, the American black bear's temperate forest, and the Andean bear's cloud forest, are being cut down and burned to collect wood and make room for farms. As cities grow, bears lose their home.

Poaching

Bears have been hunted for centuries for many reasons. Ranchers hunt bears who prey on their livestock. People hunt bears for trophies like their feet or fur. Bears are also hunted for their gall bladders which are used in traditional Asian medicine.

Many conservation organizations are working to protect bears and their homes, but you can help bears and other wildlife, too! Keep your local environment clean, respect the animals in your environment, and reduce your impact on the environment by using sustainable materials, recycling properly, and using less energy.

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Quiz

Quiz Printable

The Business of Bears

Determine if each statement below is true or false.

The Business of Bears Printable

Bear Challenge

Place each bear species in the correct category to explore the diversity of bears!

Organizing Bears

Create three bear charts on construction paper using the template attached. Cut out each bear species and place it in the appropriate place on all three charts!
Worksheet