Bears - Facts for Kids

Basic Information

Bears belong to the family Ursidae, which includes eight different species (types) of bears found around the world!

A group of bears is called a “sleuth” or sometimes a “sloth” of bears, though bears usually prefer to live alone!

The scientific name for the grizzly bear is Ursus arctos horribilis, but don’t worry — they’re not horrible at all, just impressively (amazingly) large!

Polar bears are the only bears classified (grouped) as marine mammals because they spend so much time in the ocean!

Giant pandas are actually true bears, even though they look and act very differently from their bear cousins!

The American black bear can be found in 40 of the 50 United States, making it the most widespread (found in most places) bear in North America!

Bears can live up to 20–25 years in the wild, but some bears in zoos have lived to be over 40 years old!

Most bear species (types) are considered vulnerable (in danger) or endangered, except for the American black bear and also the brown bear!

Physical Features

A male polar bear can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds (680 kg) — that’s about the same as a small car!

Bears have 42 teeth, including long canines (sharp pointed teeth) for tearing food and flat molars (back teeth) for crushing plants!

A grizzly bear’s hump isn’t fat — it’s actually a massive shoulder muscle that helps them dig and gives them amazing strength!

Bears have an amazing sense of smell that’s about 2,100 times better than humans — they can smell food from miles away!

Panda bears have a special thumb-like wrist bone that helps them hold bamboo while eating!

Bears’ fur isn’t actually white, brown, or black — each hair is hollow (empty inside) and transparent (see-through), reflecting (bouncing back) the light to create different colors!

A polar bear’s fur is so good at keeping them warm that they’re almost invisible on infrared cameras (heat-seeing cameras)!

Bears can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) — that’s faster than the fastest human runner!

A grizzly bear’s claws can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) long — about the length of your index finger!

Black bears are excellent climbers and can even climb trees while they’re still cubs!

A bear’s paw print looks a bit like a human footprint because they also walk on the soles (bottoms) of their feet!

Bears have a special third eyelid that helps protect their eyes while swimming!

A polar bear’s black skin under their white fur helps them soak up heat from the sun!

Bears have specially padded feet that help them walk quietly, despite (even though) their large size!

A grizzly bear’s fur has special tips that shine in the sunlight, giving them their “grizzled” (gray-tipped) appearance!

A bear’s fur is water-resistant (doesn’t get wet easily), helping them stay warm and dry even in rainy weather!

Behavior & Abilities

Bears are one of the few animals that can walk like humans — they can stand and walk on their hind legs (back legs)!

Mother bears are amazingly protective and will care for their cubs for up to two years!

Bears make all sorts of sounds to talk to each other — they can grunt, growl, huff, and even purr like cats!

Bears are excellent swimmers — polar bears can swim for days at a time without resting!

Bears are very smart and can use tools — some bears have been seen using rocks to scratch their backs!

When bears walk, they put their entire foot flat on the ground, just like humans do!

Bears have excellent memory and can remember food locations (places) for many years!

Bears do a special “dance” when marking their territory (their area) by rubbing against trees!

Bears are excellent problem solvers and can figure out complex (hard) puzzles to get food!

Mother bears teach their cubs which plants are safe to eat and which to avoid!

Bears can communicate (talk) with each other by leaving scratch marks on trees!

Some bears have been seen using tools, like using sticks to scratch hard-to-reach places!

Bears can recognize (remember) hundreds of different food sources (places to find food) in their territory (area)!

Bears sometimes play with objects they find, showing they have a playful nature like dogs!

Bears can run downhill just as fast as they can run uphill — most animals can’t do this!

Habitat & Environment

Bears can be found on every continent (large land area) except Antarctica and Australia!

Polar bears are the only bears that live mostly in the Arctic regions (very cold northern areas)!

Giant pandas live only in the bamboo forests of central China!

Black bears can live in different habitats (homes), from forests to deserts to suburban areas (neighborhoods)!

Grizzly bears need large territories (areas) — a single bear might use an area as big as 600 square miles (1,550 square kilometers)!

Bears are excellent at adapting (changing) to different environments (places) — they can live in mountains, forests, tundra (cold grasslands), and even near cities!

Some bears dig dens for winter, while others make nests in tree hollows (empty spaces) or thick brush!

Bears help plant new trees by spreading seeds through their droppings (poop)!

Some bears build elevated (high up) nests in trees, like giant bird nests!

Bears create paths through their territory (area) that they use again and again!

Bears help plant new trees by spreading seeds through their droppings (poop)!