Bear Facts

10 Questions

Which family do bears belong to?

Ursidae

How many extant species of bears are there?

Eight

In which hemispheres are bears found?

In both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

What type of paws do bears have?

Plantigrade paws

Are bears typically solitary or social animals?

Solitary

What are some common characteristics of modern bears?

large bodies with stocky legs, long snouts, small rounded ears, shaggy hair, plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws, and short tails.

What are the diet preferences of bears?

While the polar bear is mostly carnivorous, and the giant panda is mostly herbivorous, the remaining six species are omnivorous with varying diets.

Are bears diurnal or nocturnal?

Bears may be diurnal or nocturnal.

What is one of the unique abilities of bears?

Bears have an excellent sense of smell.

Are bears good at running and climbing?

Despite their heavy build and awkward gait, bears are adept runners and climbers.

Study Notes

Bear Classification

Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae.
They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans.

Geographic Distribution

Bears are found on the continents of North America, South America, and Eurasia.
They appear in a wide variety of habitats throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere and partially in the Southern Hemisphere.

Physical Characteristics

Bears have large bodies with stocky legs.
They have long snouts.
They have small rounded ears.
They have shaggy hair.
They have plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws.
They have short tails.

Diet and Behavior

The polar bear is mostly carnivorous.
The giant panda is mostly herbivorous.
The remaining six species are omnivorous with varying diets.
Bears are typically solitary animals, except for courting individuals and mothers with their young.
They may be diurnal or nocturnal.
They have an excellent sense of smell.

Physical Abilities

Despite their heavy build and awkward gait, bears are adept runners.
They are also adept climbers.