Stats

Lifespan: 20-25 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Cathemeral
Social: Solitary
Biome: Montane cloud forest
Range: South America
Movement: Climbing
Breeding: Live Birth
Defense: Climbing
Status: Vulnerable

About

South America's only native bear and the last survivor of the short-faced bear lineage that dominated the Americas for millions of years. Each individual's pale facial 'spectacle' markings are completely unique — like a fingerprint — letting researchers identify wild bears from photos alone.

Life cycle

1.
newborn cub
A tiny, blind cub is born in the winter den and nurses against its mother for warmth.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile follows its mother to forage, climbs trees for safety, and learns what's good to eat.
3.
adult
Fully grown and ranging on its own.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Genus: Tremarctos
Species: Tremarctos ornatus