Overall its fur is blackish in color, though bears may vary from jet black to dark brown and to even a reddish hue. The Spectacled bear is a mid-sized species of bear. Among South America’s extant, native land animals, only the Baird’s and South American Tapirs are heavier than this species. South America’s largest obligate carnivore is the jaguar. The Spectacled Bear is technically the largest land carnivore on that continent, although as little as 5% of its diet is composed of meat. Spectacled bears are the only surviving species of bear native to South America, and the only surviving member of the subfamily Tremarctinae. The Andean bear is the last remaining short-faced bear (subfamily Tremarctinae) and the closest living relative to the Florida spectacled bear and short-faced bears of the Middle Pleistocene to Late Pleistocene age. The bears are an endangered species, listed as Vulnerable, and it is illegal to kill them. Photos courtesy of Wildlife S.O.S.ĥ-Andean Bear or Spectacled Bear – Tremarctos ornatus Most scientists refer to spectacled bears as Andean bears (they are found only in the Andes mountains in South America). In southern climates they do not hibernate. In autumn they fatten up for the winter by feeding on nuts. They also feed on grasses, fruits, berries, seeds, insects and honey. ![]() This includes small mammals, birds, fish, molluscs and carcasses. Asiatic black bears are more carnivorous than their American counterparts, although only a small part of their diet is made up of meat. Asiatic black bears live in eastern Asia, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Taiwan and Vietnam. ![]() ![]() The fur around the shoulders and throat is particularly long, and their ears are relatively large. polar bear photographs – Roy de Haas/Ĥ-Asiatic black bear, Himalayan black bear, moon bear – Ursus thibetanus Asiatic black bears have long black fur with a distinct white patch on the chest that is often crescent-shaped. Credit -text- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Adult female bears are smaller and average around 300 kg (660 lbs) their peak weights do not usually exceed 400 kg (880 lbs). The average weight of male polar bears in Ontario is about 500 kg (1100 lbs). In Ontario, the largest male bear recorded from “live capture” research studies weighed 654 kg (1439 lbs). Adult males may reach 800 kilograms (kg) or 1760 pounds (lbs). Credit -text- Mike McIntosh, photographs of brown bears – Charlie Russell-.ģ-Polar Bear– Ursus Maritimus Polar bears are among the largest bears in the world. The really big bears (1500pounds/700kg and bigger) are now very rare. The interior bears of the North American Rocky Mountains (Grizzly Bear) and the mountains of Europe tend to be much smaller. The largest bears, the “Big Browns” exist along the coast of Alaska and Russia growing to very large sizes rivaling that of the Polar Bear. Size varies greatly depending on geographic location and general food availability. ![]() Brown bears range in colour from almost black, brown to very light brown or blonde. Russia has a healthy population of brown bears currently. Small individual populations are scattered throughout parts of Europe and Asia. The Brown Bear can be found in Alaska, western Canada,and parts of Washington, Montana and Wyoming. Credits-two white(Kermode)black bear photos-Charlie Russell, text, photos-Mike McIntoshĢ-Brown Bear– Ursus Arctos – Several subspecies. Older bears have been documented, however the majority of bears never reach old age due to human activity (hunting). Black bears live up to 25 years in the wild. Males weigh up to 280kg(600 pounds), occasionally much more. Females mate and produce cubs at 5 to 7 years of age, 8 years and older in the boreal forest regions(Ontario). Males reach full size at about 8 years of age. The white colour phase is more rare occuring in north western British Columbia, Canada. The black and brown colour phase of the black bear is common. The North American Black Bear is the most common bear in North America ranging from the State of Florida north, into Canada and north to Alaska. When finished click on back arrow.ġ-North American Black Bear – Ursus Americanus – colour – black, bluish-black, brown, white (Kermode or Spirit bear). To view photographs in a larger format, click on photo.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |