Bear, Andean (or spectacled)

Bear, Andean (or spectacled)

posted in: Carnivores, Species | 0

Spectacled bear cartoon by David TwamleyScientific name: Tremarctos ornatus

Origin: South America

Size: 1.3-1.9m

Diet: Omnivore but mostly herbivore

IUCN status: Vulnerable

Threats: Conversion of forests to agriculture, leading to conflict with people; hunted for food and for use of its parts in traditional medicine

Zoos I have seen them: Belfast Zoo

Interesting fact: South America’s only bear, the spectacled bear belongs to an ancient group of short-faced bears that became extinct after the last ice age.

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