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Picture source:
Faune Explo © 2002
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Bears Pictures - Bear Evolution
All modern Bears have evolved from the Ursavis elemensis, the earliest Bear that lived during the Miocene epoch in sub-tropical Europe. It was a small dog-size animal that combined the characteristics of both Bears and dogs.
Later there appeared two subspecies: the giant short-faced Bear (Arctodus simus) and the European cave Bear (Ursus speleaus). The giant short-faced Bear remains the largest land carnivore. It became extinct due to climatic changes many thousands years ago. The cave Bear survived two ice ages and was worshipped by the Neanderthal culture. This species was an herbivore. It also became extinct a long time ago.
The ancient cave Bears were the direct ancestors of all modern Bear species. The newest species, the polar Bear, evolved from the brown Bear (Ursus arctos) only about 20,000 years ago. It has developed a lot of adaptations to harsh conditions of
the Arctic.
The giant panda is the most mysterious member of the Bear family. First it was placed with the red panda in the raccoon family. Both the red and giant panda feed on bamboo and have long wrist bones to grip the plants. The newest methods of examining and comparing gene sequences place the giant panda in the family of bears. It is the earliest species that evolved from the ancient ancestor of all modern Bears.
Bears Pictures - General Info Links
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Picture source:
Grizzly Cove Greettings LLC © 2000-2003
Amy Shapira
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Ailurus fulgens (Red Panda) - Description, including geographic range, physical characteristics, and natural history.
Animal Info - Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) - Facts and links about the animal and its biology, including population estimates, weight, habitat, gestation period, longevity, social organization and behavior.
Asiatic Black Bear - Brief information about Ursus thibetanus.
Bears In Your Backyard - Advice and pointers to make homes and properties Bear-friendly.
Bears of the World - Provides information about all species of Bears. It covers biology, mythology, physiology, myths and media.
Faune Explo - Photos by Alain and Isabelle Boyaval of the brown Bear or grizzly (Ursus arctos) and the American black Bear (Ursus americanus) and their tracks. [English and French].
Judging the Size of Alaskan Brown Bears - Deciding the size of a Bear in the wild is tough, sometimes even a cub look huge; learn how to judge brown Bear size by body proportions and other clues.
Lincoln Park Zoo: Spectacled Bear - Site describes the habitat, special adaptations, range status, diet, mating and a picture of this Bear species.
Lincoln Park Zoo: Spectacled Bear - Site describes the habitat, special adaptations, range status, diet, mating and a picture of this Bear species.
Panda Mania - List of zoos hosting pandas, facts, clipart, fun and games, bulletin board, and other items.
Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) - Description, image, and information about natural history.
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Picture source:
Shadow of the bear © 2000
Leslie Marcucella
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Secrets of Black Bear Hibernation - Popular article, based on PBS series, about hibernation biology of Ursus americanus.
Shadow of The Bear - Photos and information about the Kodiak brown Bear, Ursus arctos middendorffi.
Sloth Bears - Brief information about Melursus ursinus.
Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) - Facts, photos and videos of the spectacled Bear.
Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) - Information about this South American species, including physical appearance, geographical range (with map), habitat, habits, and captive breeding efforts.
Sun Bear - Ursus malayanus - Short illustrated description of this Bear of
Southeast Asia.
The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) Pages - Information and images, including photos of pandas at the Cincinnati Zoo.
The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) Pages - Information and images, including photos of pandas at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Tremarctos ornatus - Article about the spectacled Bear from Animal Diversity Web.
Tremarctos ornatus - Article about the spectacled Bear from Animal Diversity Web.
Wild Bear Cam - Live cam of Bears and information on how to support non-lethal management of Bears.
Wild Bear Cam - Live cam of Bears and information on how to support non-lethal management of Bears.
Bears Pictures - Other Bears sites
Grizzly Bears - Grizzly bears (Brown bear or Ursus arctos) once inhabited most of the Western United States. They favored areas near streams and rivers, where conflicts with humans were likely. In the beginning of the 20th century, Grizzlies were eliminated from 95% of their range and survived only in remote wilderness areas.
Today, Grizzly bears are found in mountain ranges from the coast of British Columbia to the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. The home range of Grizzlies varies from 200-500 sq. km. for females to 1000-2000 sq. km. for males. Grizzlies need places with minimal human access. Human activities cause constant stress on Grizzly bears and other animals.
Bears Photos - Bears are the mammals that can be found throughout the world. They are characterized by their size, a plantigrade walk (on their heels, like humans), a large body, short legs, a stub of a tail, small, round ears, and forward facing eyes.
In the world there are eight species of Bears: the Brown, Asiatic black, American Black Bear, Polar, Sloth, Sun, Spectacled and the Giant Panda. Each of the species can be found in its own range. American Black Bears are native to North America and are also the smallest bears of North America.
Bears Pictures Hunting - Bears are powerful animals that can be found throughout the world. They are large and powerful animals, whose distinctive characteristic is a plantigrade walk. They walk on their heels like humans do. Bears have a huge body, short legs, small, round ears, a small, furry tail, and forward facing eyes.
All bears are classified as carnivores. Each species has a variable degree of herbivorous tendency.
