Michael Clark

Spectacled Bear

Michael Clark

Michael Clark

The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), also known as the Andean bear, is the only
living bear species that is native to South America. They are sole survivors of a subfamily of
short faced bears that ranged across North and South America during the ice age. This bear is
only found in the Andes Mountain range of South America to Venezuela at approximately 600 to
1,400 feet of elevation. Part of the reason for this is that the lowlands were seized long ago for
agriculture. The spectacled bear populations is heavier on the more eastern side of the Andes
Mountains due the high population of the western side of the mountains. Another interesting fact
about this bear is that it spends a lot of time in trees, usually in dense humid forests. The bear
actually builds platforms in the trees for feeding and sleeping. Unlike most bears, the spectacled
bear is not territorial at all. They actually tend to be reclusive with one another except when
mating or raising offspring.

Michael Clark

The spectacled bear is one of the largest animals in South America, second largest to be
exact. Only the Tapir is bigger. The fur covering their face, nose, throat, and sometimes chest is a
creamy white color. Inside the light fur on their face, they have brownish-black circles around
their eyes, making it look like they are wearing spectacles, hence the name spectacled bear.
The amount and pattern in their light fur can very to extreme points. Due to the warm climate
their fur is more thin compared to other bears. Also, the warm climate means that they do not
have to hibernate, also known as going dormant for the winter. Spectacled bears have long claws
that help them climb and also dig for food. Due to their short legs, spectacled bears have the
ability to crawl under very dense vegetation, unlike many other animals. Since these bears are
often alone, they are usually non-verbal, but if the situation arises they can be very verbal.
The spectacled bear is omnivorous just like many other bears, but it is actually more
vegetarian compared to other bears. Because of their large flat molars they are able to chew up a
number of things too tough for any other animals to eat such as cactus, palm nuts, and unopened
palm leaves. They spend most of their time in areas where there are fruit trees. They also feed on
sugarcane, corn, and will eat berries occasionally if they feel like it. On average, 5% to 7% of the
spectacled bears diet is rabbits and farmers cattle. The bears are often shot by farmers when
feeding on cattle becomes a regular habit.
Breeding season for the spectacled bear is usually in the spring from April through June.
During this time they travel in pairs. Females are capable of planning their pregnancy and labor
to make sure their food supply is ample at the time they give birth. This is usually around fruit
season. They usually begin to reproduce between ages 4 and 7. If there is a shortage of food one
year, the embryo can just absorb into the mothers body and she will not give birth that year. The
mother will build a den just prior to giving birth. Usually, 1 or 2 cubs are born from November

Michael Clark

through February. They weigh 10 to 18 ounces at birth month. The cubs stay with their mother
for 6 to 8 months.
Sadly, this bear is very endangered for a number of reasons and is the second most
endangered bear species in the world. The major contribution factor to their endangerment is
habitat loss. People are destroying the forests they live in for agricultural development. Also,
human settlement isolates the bears from each other by spreading them out and this creates
breeding problems. Fortunately, things are being done to help them. For example, they are being
brought to zoos and there are organizations trying to help the bear. The Andean Bear Foundation
is trying to secure a future for the bear by doing what they can with what they have. Tracking
devices are being placed on the bears to keep track of them and record their habits. If you see one
of these bears you are asked by the Andean Bear Foundation to report it. What you can do to help
these bears is donate or volunteer to The Andean Bear Foundation!
http://www.bearsoftheworld.net/spectacled_bears.asp
Bears Of The World
2007-2014

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/spectacled-bear/
1996-2014 National Geographic Society

Michael Clark