Bears 101: Compilation

BY TASNEEM S. G.

Bears are amazing animals. And although everyone knows what they are, they don't usually think about how amazing they are and how much they are needed for the ecosystem to remain in balance.

There are many species of bears, and they live all across the globe: black bears, spirit bears, brown bears, polar bears... the list goes on and on. In this passage, you will be blown away by these super weird bear species you may not have even heard about before. You won't be able to BEAR all the new facts you learn. So strap on your seatbelts and hold on to your hats; we're going for a wild ride!

Brown Bears

Brown bears are very common. In fact, they are one of the most common species of bear in the world. Their scientific name is Ursus Arctos, and they are pretty cool. You can identify brown bears by the hump on their shoulder, which is mostly made of muscle. They mostly live across North America and Eurasia. Even though brown bears pretty much have a reputation as serious carnivores, they get about 90% of their calories from berries and fruit. So, basically, they mostly feast on vegetation, but will eat meat and fish if they find some. Brown bears live in river valleys, mountainous areas, and meadows. They can live pretty long for a bear: about 25 years in the wild. These big teddies can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.

Andean Bears

The Andean Bear, also known as the Spectacled Bear, is, sadly, the last known remaining short-faced bear. It is related to the Florida Spectacled Bear, which, even more sadly, has gone extinct. These fabulous bears, Andean Bears, are also the last known species of bear that thrives in all of South America. Just to add to the bad news, they are the last surviving species in the subfamily Tremarctinae. Spectacled Bears are classified as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN due to habitat loss. Yup, these cool bears are definitely winning the medal for 'last place'. Sorry, guys. As their name suggests, the Andean Bear particularly thrives in the Andes Mountains. They love climbing trees. Their diet includes tree leaves, fruit, and walnuts, but they are omnivores, like most bears. They are the smallest member of the family Ursidae. Males grow much larger than females, about up to five feet in length, and weigh about 100-150 kilograms. They are shy, peaceful, and solitary. Each Andean Bear's face, neck, and chest markings are unique.

Sun Bears

Sun Bears are also called Helarctos malayanus in science language. They are mammals and part of the family Ursidae. They are mostly found in Southeast Asia. Their length, not including the tail, is about 120 to 150 centimetres (47 to 59 inches) long. They are about 70 centimetres tall. They weigh 30 to 80 kilograms. Like the Andean Bear, they are classified as Vulnerable, also due to habitat loss. A Sun Bear mother is able to carry its cub in its paws whilst walking upright. Sun Bears have extremely long tongues. Sun Bears eat many things, including:

• Fruit
• Berries
• Roots
• Nuts
• Sprouts
• Tips of young palm trees
• Honey
• Bees
• Eggs
• Termites
• Lizards
• Small birds
• Cocoa
• Coconuts

As such, they are omnivores.

Sloth Bears

Sloth Bears are native to India. Their primary food is insects! Again, they are classified by the IUCN as 'Vulnerable' primarily due to habitat loss. They are dangerously close to extinction. They are medium-sized and weigh between 120 pounds to 320 pounds depending on many factors such as age and location. They have black fur and sometimes white markings on their chest as well. Sloth Bears are different from other bears in many ways, primarily their ears and lips. These weird bear's ears are huge and floppy and coated with long black fur. Their lips aren't much different from their ears: long and floppy. Cubs ride on their mom's back and often fight for the best riding spot. If you've read the Articles on Animal Rights and Circus Animal Treatment, you'll know that the way animals are treated isn't always the best. This is also true for Sloth Bears in India. They were and are sometimes still trained to dance, and although it was banned in the 20th century, India still has a large number of 'dancing bears'. Dancing bears were often made blind, toothless, and were not fed properly, leading to malnutrition. Sloth Bears are nocturnal.

Kermode Bears

Kermode Bears are also known as Spirit Bears. They are a subspecies of the American Black Bear. They live in the Central and Northern Coasts of British Columbia. Kermode Bears can be black... or WHITE! And, no, they are not related to polar bears. Not closely, anyway. And that's not even the coolest part. Kermode Bears' nose and paws are dark brown or black, meaning they are not albinos. An albino is an animals that is thoroughly white. Even some humans can be albinos, which means that their hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes are all pure white. Spirit Bears are omnivores. They will eat berries, fruit, salmon, and meat. Berries and salmon especially are key parts of their diet. Kermode Bears live only in Canada, in B. C. particularly.

Polar Bears

And now, the one and only... Polar Bear! Ursus maritimus in science. Polar bears are broad and sturdily built. They have long necks and small heads. They have short rounded ears. Their tails are also pretty short: only 3 to 5 inches long! Male Polar Bears are notably larger than females. In fact, males can grow to be about 1.5 meters tall and 2.5 meters long. They usually weigh 410 to 720 kilograms.

Polar Bears travel across vast desolate expanses of ice and snow. This is because they need to travel these long distances in order to find food, specifically seals, which is its primary prey. Polar Bears have no natural predators and are not usually afraid of humans. This makes it an extremely dangerous animal because it is more likely to attack. The Polar Bear is one of the largest and most powerful land carnivore, coming in a close second to a subspecies of grizzly bear.

You know what's just the coolest? These awesome ice bears have black skin. That's right. It does not show a bit through that thick white coat... wait, white?

Nope. Polar Bears' fur is NOT white! Yeah, yeah, you're probably thinking right now that I'm out of my mind crazy, but not today! That thick fur is actually SEE-THROUGH! No, sorry, not white. Don't believe me? Excuse me, Rebirth our Earth is an extremely reliable resource! If you need more proof, go Google it.

HA! IN YOUR FACE!

Back to the facts. Sunlight is somehow capable of passing through that thick transparent coat, and its heat is absorbed by this cool bear's black skin. Under their skin is a layer of fat, which acts as insulation and keeps them warm in the Arctic wind and snow. The soles of their feet are uneven, which help them not to slip on ice.

Polar Bears are in danger due to climate change. Icebergs are melting at a rapid rate. Polar Bear, though, depend on sea ice and icebergs for traveling, hunting, mating, resting, and in some areas, maternal dens. For them, ice is life. That means that no ice is no life.

Death.

We need to help Polar Bears. All bears. This brings us to our...

Conclusion

Of all the eight bear species in the world, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists six of them as vulnerable or endangered. The only exceptions are black and brown bears, which, as you can imagine, are pretty common.

We need to do something. You need to do something. The biggest threat to the environment is the belief that someone else will save it. You could be that someone else. You could help by starting small. By starting now.

You can help. Become a hero today.