Species group · Mammals

Bears

WAnimals has 8 species of bear, all in the family Ursidae.

8 species

1 family

76 countries

169 parks

Weight: 27 kg – 700 kg
Length: 1.2 m – 2.8 m
Lifespan: 20 – 25 years

Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 8.

All 8 species of bears on WAnimals

Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Brown Bear

Ursus arctos

51 countries53 parks

Polar Bear

Ursus maritimus

9 countries4 parks1 dive site

Sun Bear

Helarctos malayanus

15 countries15 parks

Andean Bear

Tremarctos ornatus

7 countries23 parks

Sloth Bear

Melursus ursinus

8 countries20 parks

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

3 countries41 parks

Asiatic Black Bear

Ursus thibetanus

20 countries34 parks

Brown Bear

Ursus arctos horribilis

2 countries26 parks

Conservation status

5 Vulnerable2 Least Concern1 Not Evaluated

5 especies in this group están en alguna categoría de riesgo real según la UICN.

See the global conservation status

Where they live

Recorded in 76 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

Where to see them

Did you know…

Romania is home to one of the largest populations in Europe.
From Brown Bear
It can run at over 50 km/h despite its size.
From Brown Bear
It hibernates through the winter in cold climates.
From Brown Bear
Its skin is black beneath a transparent coat that scatters light to look white.
From Polar Bear
It can smell a seal over a kilometre away.
From Polar Bear
It is an excellent swimmer, able to cover long distances in open water.
From Polar Bear
The U-shaped patch on its chest, unique to each animal, is what gives it its English name, sun bear.
From Sun Bear
It eats insects — especially termites and ants — along with honey, fruit and small vertebrates.
From Sun Bear

Ecosystems

See every species group · Explore the species one by one