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Animal List |
Spectacled Bear (Andean Bear)
(Tremarctos Ornatus)
Order:
Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Genus:
Tremarctos
Species: ornatus
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HABITAT AND RANGE:
They prefer altitudes ranging between
650-14,000 feet. Although humid forests
are their first choices as habitat,
grasslands and lower lying scrub deserts
are also used.
Spectacled Bears are the only bears
living in South America. Their range
includes mountainous regions of Western
Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and
Northern Bolivia. |
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Male Spectacled Bears can weigh between
280-44O pounds, while females are much
smaller, only weighing 80-145 pounds.
Their body length is 4-6 feet, with a 2
3/4" tail in most cases. Probably their
best known characteristic is their
yellowish brown markings which encircle
their eyes, resembling spectacles. These
markings can vary between individual
bears. |
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ADAPTATIONS:
Although Spectacled Bears have been
observed in family groups, they are
primary solitary animals. They are
excellent climbers and are known to
forage and build large nests in the
trees, which are used as day-beds.
Unlike other bears, who go in a deep
sleep for part of the year, these bears
remain active year round. |
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DIET:
Although these bears exhibit a highly
herbivorous diet, they still are
considered omnivores. They feed largely
on succulent Bromeliad hearts, petioles
of palm fronds, fruits and cacti. They
also eat insects, carrion and
occasionally domestic cattle, deer,
llamas and guanacos (wild llamas). |
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REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Females reach sexual maturity between
four and seven years of age. Mating
occurs in April, May, and June, and
pairs stay together for a week or two,
with copulation occurring numerous
times. Litters of one, two, or occasio
nally three cubs are born from November
to February. |
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STATUS IN WILD:
Vulnerable. There are an estimated 2000
to 2400 remaining in the wild. The bears
are endangered because of habitat loss.
They are also hunted for their fur and
meat. Even though it is illegal to hunt
the bears, it is very difficult to
enforce.
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