Bears: Majestic Giants of the World

Written by: Paige Leal

Bears are some of the most fascinating mammals on Earth, known for their strength, intelligence, and surprising diversity. From forests to icy Arctic landscapes, these creatures have adapted to thrive in a wide range of habitats around the world.

What Are Bears?

Bears belong to the mammal family Ursidae and include eight living species found across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They range in size from smaller species like the sun bear, weighing around 60 poundsto, to giants like the polar bear or Kodiak brown bear, which can weigh over 1,600 pounds. Huge right! Bears have non-retractable claws, short tails, and an excellent sense of smell, traits that help them survive in diverse habitats. 

Habitats & Where They Live

Bears live in a wide variety of environments: forests, mountains, tundra, swamps and even near coastlines. For example, the American black bear typically lives in forested areas of Canada, the United States, and parts of Mexico. Meanwhile, brown bears and grizzlies need large territories, some grizzly home ranges cover hundreds of square miles. 

Diet & Behavior

Bears are mostly omnivores. They eat plants, roots, berries, insects, fish and sometimes larger animals. Although we often think of bears as meat-eater, many species eat far more vegetation than meat. Bear behavior is typically portrayed as savage and rough through movies, although many of them do not act that way in real life. For instance, black bears may spend much of their time foraging for berries and roots, and then supplement with fish or when available. Many bears hibernate or enter a state of dormancy in colder climates, building up fat reserves ahead of winter months when food is scarce. They live off of this fat for winter months unitl spring time, when they come back out and start forging for food again. 

Why Bears Matter

Bears play important roles in their ecosystems, they help keep populations of prey animals in check, help disperse seeds through their droppings, and their foraging habits help shape forest and mountain environments. Protecting bear habitats also means protecting large natural landscapes and many other species that live there. Bears are important to this world, so it is important to keep them safe. Not all species are thriving and doing well, there are around 6 species that are close to extinction. By understanding and respecting their behavior and habitat needs, we help ensure that these powerful animals continue to thrive.