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Spectacled Bear Facts
Spectacled Bear Facts
Scientific Name: Tremarctos ornatus
Height: 60-90 cm (Adult, At Shoulder)
Lifespan: 20 + years (In the wild)
Gestation period: 5.5 – 8.5 months
Hibernation period: Spectacled bears do not hibernate because of their tropical habitats
Length: 1.2 – 2 m (Adult)
Mass: Male: 100-200 kg (Adult), Female: 35-82 kg (Adult)
More about Spectacled Bears
South America’s only bear species, the Spectacled bear is the last of the “short-faced” bear subfamily. Their name comes from their distinctive light colored fur on their face, which can give the impression the bears are wearing glasses.
Generally these bears are not aggressive unless threatened or protecting young. This species is perhaps the least studied of the bears.
These animals breed between four and seven years of age and normally pair up to mate during March to October. Cubs are born blind like other bears and stay with their mother for a year or more. They are estimated to live for more than 20 years in the wild.
Spectacled Bear Facts & Tidbits
- They are the most vegetarian of bears; only roughly 5% of their diet is meat.
- Also known as Andean Bears, they are found across the South American mountain chain.
- Among the smallest of the bears, they average 5-6 feet tall and up to 350 lbs.
Distribution
Spectacled bears are found across South America, specifically throughout the Andes Mountains, including Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. They live in a variety of habitats, including rainforest, cloud forest, steppe, and dry forest.
Status
IUCN Status: Vulnerable / Population Trend: Decreasing
These bears are often hunted for the perceived threat to livestock though they eat very little meat. Their habitat is threatened due to human activities including deforestation, agriculture, and mining and only a small portion of their range is protected. Their gall bladders are also sought after for traditional Asian medicine.
Photo Credit: Outdoorsman/Dreamstime
