Bears, like most of the wildlife, are an endangered species. Various international organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the WWF have put measures to conserve the ecosystem and advise concerned nations to put legislative measures to protect the bears.
7. Malayan Sun Bear - 176 lb
Deriving its name from a white mark on their chest that resembles the
rays of the sun, the Malayan sun bears are locally known as the Honey
bear. They are the smallest in the bear species weighing between 27-80
kilograms (176 pounds) and growing to a length not exceeding 60 inches.
The body is covered with black, smooth, and sleek fur with a round
pattern running from the shoulders towards the rest of the body. It has
an elongated tongue, small ears, and inward turning paws. The bear is
common in the thick forests south of China and east of India. Nocturnal
by nature, they have robust jaws, ken sense of smell, and long tongue
that enables them to eat a variety of forest products such as honey,
plant, and small animals. Young ones reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years
old. Known to be monogamous, a sow gives birth to one or two blind cubs
which suckle for about 18 months.6. Giant Panda - 220 lb
Distinct for their use as the logo for WWF since 1961, the panda is a
treasure in China and is easily recognized for its black and white fur.
An adult panda weighs 70-125 kilograms (150-220 pounds) and is 2 meters
(6 feet) long. The body is covered with thick layer of fur due to its
cold habitat. They roam in solitary and are territorial, though they do
not establish permanent nests. Commonly found in bamboo vegetation, they
forage for food at dawn and at dusk. Though it has a digestive system
of a carnivore, it feeds mostly on plants. With a lower metabolic rate,
they have to eat at least 26 pounds of bamboo daily to supplement
energy. The pandas reach sexual maturity at four years and have
gestation period of 95 to 160 days. They give birth to one or two cubs
weighing 90 to 130 grams (3-5 ounces). Artificial insemination efforts
have been successful.5. Asiatic Black Bear - 298 lb
Commonly found in Asia, the Asiatic black bear is also referred to as
moon bear or white-chested bear. An adult female weighs up to 125
kilograms (276 pounds), while a male might be heavier at 200 kilograms
(440 pounds). An adult is about 72 inches (180 centimeters) excluding
the tail. The body is covered with black fur with a V-shaped white area
on the chest. Another white spot is found in throat and chin. The ears
are huge and legs are robust with broad paws. Because of their nocturnal
nature, they feed on insects, rodents, and plant matter, mainly
termites, bees, birds, mushrooms, and grains. The gestation period is 7
to 8 months, giving rise to 1-4 cubs which begin to walk at four days of
age. Sows give birth in caves.4. Sloth Bear - 310 lb
The Sloth bear is known as the insectivorous bear. It is dominantly
found in India and Sri Lanka. The sloth bear has long, loosely hanging,
shaggy black fur on its body and has a mane surrounding the face. The
legs are strong with c-shaped claws. The mouth is long, with long lower
lips and weak teeth. It produces grunting sounds. An adult weighs almost
130 kilograms (310 pounds) and has a height of 2 meters (6 feet). Their
staple food is insects, mainly the termites and ants which they locate
using their excellent sense of smell and access by digging using their
sickle-shaped claws then sucks them through a gap between their teeth.
They occasionally feed on plants. A sloth bear becomes sexually active
when it is 3 years old. The female normally gives birth after 210 days
in an underground nest. A unique feature is that the young one is
carried by the mother on its back.3. Spectacled Bear - 340 lb
The Spectacled bear is purely found in South America’s forests. They
are called so because they look like a man with spectacles or glasses
on. They have a short face with white rings on the eyes against a
predominantly black-furred body. The male is twice as big as the
females, meaning that when an adult male is 200 kilograms (440 pounds)
the female is 100 kilograms (185 pounds). Their length is 47-80 inches
(120-200 cm). Their short but strong legs make them climb trees very
fast where they build nests and sleep. This bear can be active both at
night and during the day. It is an omnivore, feeding on a wide range
such as rodents, fruits, berries, and leaves. Sexual maturity occurs
between 4-7 years. Active mating is witnessed between April and June
with the gestation period ranging from five and a half months to nine
months. A cub weighs about 330 grams (12 oz.) with 2-3 cubs per litter.2. Brown Bear -1300 lb
The Brown bear species can swim and run. The bear was once trained to
dance to certain rhythms in Europe. They are widely found across the
globe. An adult weighs approximately 1300 pounds and can grow to 210
centimeters (83 inches). The bear is covered by brown fur which becomes
thicker in winter. It has stout legs, sharp claws, and wide paws that
enable them to either swim or run very fast. Omnivores by nature, they
feed on plant matters and small animals, insects, and even fish. Their
body is able to store fats which assist them to survive in winter. The
female carries the pregnancy for six to eight months. A litter, mostly
twins, weighs about 800 grams at birth.1. Polar Bear - 1600 lb
The polar bear is a carnivorous bear living in the Arctic Ocean. The
global warming is posing a great threat to their survival. Polar bears
are grouped as sea animals due to the fact that they spend most of their
time in the water. Their body is covered by fat that makes it adapt to
the cold condition by insulating the body. Their strong paws enable them
to hunt as well as swim. They hunt for animals, mainly seals, using
their sharp teeth. Their skin is able to store fats over a long duration
hence retain heat. They give birth to one or two cubs which are born
with fur due to the cold climate.
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