
Common name: Bear
Scientific name: Ursidae
Distribution: North America, South America, Asia, Europe
Common name: Bear
Scientific name: Ursidae
Distribution: North America, South America, Asia, Europe
There are eight species of bears including the Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, sun bear, and brown bear. They are widely distributed around the world.
Bears are omnivorous – meaning they eat basically everything – with an excellent sense of smell, even rivalling that of dogs.
Bears are highly intelligent animals. They can count, use tools, solve problems and communicate with a range of vocalisations and complex facial expressions. Bears are typically solitary animals except during mating season and mothers when nursing their young. Despite their size and heavy build, bears are good runners, climbers, and swimmers.
Over the winter, bears dig dens or use shelters such as caves and logs to go into a deep sleep during winter periods, referred to as “torpor”. Contrary to popular belief, bears are not true hibernators.
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