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Table of Contents
Bears, a small group of mostly large omnivorous mammals, can be found all over the world. They live in forests, mountains, tundra, deserts, grassy areas and even the snowy parts of our planet.
See the fact file below for more information on Bears, or you can download our 27-page Bears worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ORIGIN OF BEARS
- Bears are carnivorous mammals that belong to the Ursidae family. They are classified as caniforms, or carnivorans that resemble dogs.
- Although only eight species of bear are known to exist, they are widespread, inhabiting a wide range of habitats in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Bears can be found in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
- Their origins as small carnivorous mammals started about 40 million years ago. However, the first recognized bear, Ursavus elmensis, also known as the dawn bear, roamed the earth only about 20 million years ago.
- These bears had dog-like characteristics and laid the evolutionary groundwork for modern-day bears.
- Known to eat insects and vegetation, the descendants of which have evolved into one of the world’s largest terrestrial carnivores.
ANATOMY OF BEARS
- A bear’s overall anatomy is designed to help it survive in a particular environment. They have evolved precisely what they require to survive in given conditions as a result of the evolutionary process.
- A bear’s body parts mainly include the basic framework of the skull, rib cage, spinal cord, arms and legs, and tailbone.
- However, because bears have adapted to match their physical environments, certain parts of their skeletal system are unique and extremely effective for the biomes in which they live.
- On the other hand, both bears and humans share the majority of the major features of the muscular system.
- This includes the smooth tissue, as well as the cardiac and skeletal tissues. Skeletal tissue in bears is found further away from the bone than in humans.
- This structure enables the bear to have very strong movements, but it also makes the bear slower, whereas skeletal tissue is found near the bone in humans, allowing for weaker and faster movements.
- Bears have massive bodies that are extremely thick in the middle. This is because most of them must consume large amounts of food when it is plentiful in order to store it for the winter months.
- Those fat layers also aid in temperature regulation. Bears have dense fur that covers their entire body. This keeps them warm and prevents insects from penetrating their skin.
- Furthermore, a bear’s claws are extremely sharp and vary in size. They frequently use these claws to catch prey and climb trees.
- These claws are also non-retractable, allowing them to use them when necessary. Bears’ noses may be small, but they are extremely powerful, they can detect scents for miles around them.
KINDS OF BEARS
- Brown Bear or Grizzly Bear (Ursus Arctos) – The Brown Bear, also known as the Grizzly Bear, is the most well-known species in North America. These bears have the most extensive global range. They share the number sixteen with the American Black Bear.
- They can be found throughout Northern North America and the majority of Western Canada. They’re also well-known throughout Alaska.
- Asiatic Black bear (Ursus Thibetanus) – The Asiatic Black Bear is yet another member of the Ursus family, with seven subspecies. They are all found in Asia, ranging from northern India to Indonesia, Japan, and China.
- Over the last 50 years, these bears have seen a sad change. Their range has changed and has shrunk significantly.
- Their populations have shrunk to the size of small pods, making it difficult for them to compete with other bear communities. This serves as a population control measure for already vulnerable species.
- Sloth bear (Melursus Ursinus) – These bears resemble a cross between an anteater and an elderly man. Sloth bears are an endangered species, they are hunted if they come too close to human populations or attempt to attack a human.
- Another factor contributing to their population decline is habitat loss. These bears are indigenous to India. These bears are becoming more vulnerable to extinction as human populations grow exponentially.
- Giant panda bear (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) – Giant Panda Bears were the kind of species that scientists debated for years. No one knew how to categorize them for decades, especially since they were thought to be related to the Red Panda.
- In China, extensive deforestation projects have wiped out the bamboo populations. The loss of food significantly reduced their population.
- Pandas have a limited range as well. They inhabit the mountain ranges of central China. Almost as many are kept in captivity around the world as are left in China.
- Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) – The Spectacled Bear is the only species left in its family. They are the last remaining species of short-faced bear. These intelligent-looking creatures are endangered, and many people are working to save them as the last of their kind.
- Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) – Because they enjoy sweet treats so much, the Malayan Sun Bear is also known as the Honey Bear.
- Their diet does not, however, consist solely of honey. They will also consume small mammals, fruit, palm tree tips, and birds. They are the smallest bear species on the planet.
- They only weigh between 60 and 110 pounds (27 to 50 kgs). For a time, these bears were revered and sheltered in their native Indonesia and Malaysia.
- Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) – Polar bears have a distinct habitat and way of life. They live in the Arctic and feed primarily on seals due to the lack of vegetation in the ice tundra.
- Polar bears are typically the largest bears. Their weight can reach 1,600 pounds (726 kgs). That is becoming less common as it becomes more difficult for them to find food each year.
- North American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) – One of the most adaptable bears is the black bear. They are found in almost every climate and biosphere in North America. They are extremely temperature and environment-adaptable.
VULNERABILITY AND CONSERVATION
- Six bear species are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature); even the two least concerning species, the brown bear and the American black bear, are threatened with extinction in some areas.
- In general, these two species live in remote areas with little human interaction, and the main non-natural causes of death are hunting, trapping, roadkill, and predation.
- Moreover, captive bears have been used for entertainment for centuries. They have been trained to dance and have been used for baiting in Europe since at least the 16th century.
- At the time, Southwark, London, had five bear-baiting gardens; archaeological remains from three of these have survived. Since the 12th century, nomadic Romani bear handlers known as Ursari have been busking with their bears across Europe.
- Many countries have passed legislation that protects bears from habitat destruction.
- People identify with bears due to their omnivorous diets, ability to stand on two legs, and symbolic significance, so public perception of bears is often positive.
- Bear protection is widely supported, at least in more affluent societies. The giant panda has become a global conservation symbol.
- The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, which house approximately 30% of the wild panda population, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.
Bears Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Bears across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Bears, a small group of mostly large omnivorous mammals that can be found all over the world.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Bears Facts
- BEARing the Name
- BEARing the Beauty
- The Mega Bears
- Time to Wake Up!
- Bears in the Sky!
- BEARing a Story
- BEARing the Truth
- Dispelling the Myths
- Quick Review
- Bear Within!
Frequently Asked Questions
What do bears do for fun?
Bears are wild, unpredictable, energetic, and playful. They climb trees for fun and ride the tops down before getting off and climbing them again. With their mother and brothers and sisters, they rule the mountain on bent-over trees like tightropes.
Are bears ever friendly?
While no bears can be considered outright friendly, some are less aggressive than others. For example, black bears typically avoid humans while grizzlies are more likely to attack if they feel threatened in any way.
Do bears like honey?
Contrary to what Winnie the Pooh would have you believe, bears do not subsist on honey alone. They are also attracted to beehives for the bees and larvae inside, which provide them with a good source of protein.
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Link will appear as Bears Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 8, 2022
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.