The semi-aquatic polar bear was once considered to be nomadic, but has since been shown to have a very large home range — up to about 115 square miles (300 sq km).
Pregnant bears den in the winter, the others hunt.
Ringed seals are their preferred prey, but in winter, they will eat anything they can catch; in summer, they will eat leaves, berries, and seaweed.
They are able to fast for months, drawing on stored fat at any time of the year.
Their hairs are hollow, making for excellent insulators that are capable of trapping much of their radiating body heat.
Only the nose and eyes radiate heat, so they cover them with their paws when they sleep.
Name: Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Family: Ursidae (Bears)
Range: Above Arctic Circle, occasionally farther south
Habitat: Coastal regions and ice floes
Diet: Seals, walrus, sea birds, lemmings, birds' eggs, some vegetation, and carrion
Head and Body Length: 7 to 9 feet (2.2 to 2.8 m)
Tail Length: 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 cm)
Shoulder Height: about 5 feet (1.5 m)
Weight: 660 to 1,540 pounds (300 to 700 kg)
Life Cycle: Mating April to May, implantation delayed until September to October; one to three cubs born in December
Description: Dense, creamy white coat; relatively small head; elongated neck; stocky, powerful build; black skin; broad forepaws
Conservation Status: Lower Risk (Conservation Dependent)
Major Threat: Habitat loss; poaching; pollution
What Can I Do?: Visit Polar Bears Alive and WWF for information on how you can help.
 Order: Carnivora, Family: Ursidae The American black bear is one of the most common bear species; it is also one of the world's largest terrestrial carnivores.
When standing upright, black bears measure approximately 5 to 6 feet tall, with a tail length of roughly 5 inches.
Depending on the food supply available in their range, female black bears weigh from 100 to 600 pounds, and males average between 250 and 700 pounds.
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 Although black is the most common color of this bear, its color can range from light brown to dark brown. There is even a population of white Ursus americanus living on a remote island off the west coast of Canada.
A solitary, predominantly vegetarian creature, the black bear uses its keen sense of smell to search out fruit, nuts, berries, and roots.
However, this bear will also eat insect...
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 Order: Carnivora, Family: Ursidae The polar bear has a thick, well-insulated coat comprising water-repellent guard hairs and a dense undercoat.
The polar bear's coat and a layer of fat beneath it help keep the bear warm in its arctic habitat.
The polar bear's fur is not soft, but quite oily, which helps repel water. It measures about 1 1/2 inches thick, and can vary in color from white to creamy-yellow to light brow...
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 Order: Carnivora, Family: Ursida Technically, brown and grizzly bears are classified as the same species. Brown bear refers to the members of the species found in coastal areas; brown bears found inland and in northern habitats are called grizzlies.
The brown bear can weigh between 200 and 1,700 pounds.
Brown bears are the largest of all carnivores. They measure 5 to 9 feet in length from head to rump, and their tails are 2...
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 Order: Carnivora, Family: Ursidae The smallest bear in the world, being about half the size of the American black bear. Adults stand 2 1/4 feet tall and are 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet long. Adult males weigh between 63 and 143 pounds. Females are slightly smaller.
Sun bears have a solid sleek body, short tail, small rounded ears and plantigrade feet (both heel and toe make contact with the ground when walking in a manner similar to hu...
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 Order: Carnivora, Family: Ursidae Native: Oriental. Melursus ursinus is found throughout India, Sri Lanka, and further north into Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. This species was fairly common in India and Sri Lanka until as recently as 20 years ago, now they are harder to find.
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