Bears are large dog like mammals found all around the world. There are eight different species of bear that are found in a wide range of habitats in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, mainly the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Fast Facts About Bears
1. Bears are large mammals that eat mostly meat and fish. Many bears also eat plants, bulbs, and insects.
2. Polar bears are largest species of bears and largest land predators.
3. Bears have two layers of fur. A short layer of fur keeps the bear warm. And a long layer keeps water away from the skin and short fur.
4. Bears are bow-legged. This gives them better grip and balance. Bears can walk short distances on their hind legs.
5. Even though bears are big and heavy, they can run very fast and are also good at climbing and swimming.
6. Bears are extraordinarily intelligent animals. They have far superior navigation skills to humans; excellent memories; large brain to body ratio; and use tools in various contexts from play to hunting.
7. Bears take a long sleep in the winter similar to hibernation. They will sleep in their dens and a mother bear will also have her cubs in a den.
8. Bears care deeply about family members. They will risk their lives and even fight to the death in order to save a cub or sibling from danger.
9. A male bear is called a boar or a he-bear. A female bear is called a sow or a she-bear. A group of bears is called a sleuth or sloth. Tigers are the only predators known to regularly prey on adult bears.
10. Bears live as long as 30 years in the wild. One captive brown bear lived to the age of 47.
