Etymology The English word "bear" comes from Old English bera and belongs to a family of names for the bear in Germanic languages, such as Swedish björn, also used as a first name.

Nov 20, 2025 · Bear, any of eight species of large short-tailed carnivores found in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The sun bear is the smallest, often weighing less than 50 kg (110 pounds).

What is a bear - what family they belong to, what they are related to, where they live, are they carnivores, behavioral characteristics, pictures, and more.

They can be as small as four feet long and about 60 pounds (the sun bear) to as big as eight feet long and more than a thousand pounds (the polar bear). They’re found throughout North …

Bear Evolution Early bears Bears are the youngest of the carnivore families, having arisen from doglike ancestors during the Eocene Epoch 55 million to 38 million years ago.

There are eight distinct species of bears, each with unique characteristics and habitats, from the famous grizzly to the elusive Andean bear. Click on any species below to discover fascinating …

Dec 13, 2025 · As the world's largest bear, and largest land carnivore, polar bears are impressive mammals and are adapted to living in the harsh Arctic environment.

Dec 22, 2025 · North America is home to three different species of bear: black bears (Ursus americanus); brown bears, also called the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos); and polar bears (Ursus …

Oct 26, 2021 · When trying to identify a bear, do not rely on color and size alone, as they can be misleading. Instead, use tracks and the physical appearance of a bear to determine whether it …

Oct 20, 2025 · Japan has seen a marked increase in bear attacks in 2025 — including seven fatal attacks, up from 5 fatal bear deaths in 2024. Experts believe bear populations are shifting …