Different Kinds of Bears

Bears are some of the most famous mammals on our planet. These creatures have been depicted in movies, commercials, fairy tales, and every other form of media available. Often seen as symbolizing strength and courage, the bear is treated with respect and fear, and is seen as a majestic creature. However, there are too many different species of bear for one to be able to talk about bears in general. The three most distinctive and well known types of bears are without doubt the polar bear, the grizzly bear, and the giant panda bear. 


Polar Bears
The polar bear (or in Latin, Ursus maritimus, meaning sea bear) evolved 200,000 years ago from its brown bear ancestors. These white giants are superbly adapted for surviving the temperatures in the Far North. Polar bears generally range throughout the Arctic in areas where they can hunt seals and other fish at openings in sea ice called "leads". There are five nations which meet the requirements of a polar bear habitat, and those are namely Russia, the USA (Alaska), Canada, Greenland, and Norway. 


The Polar bear is the world's largest on-land predator, weighing anywhere from 750lbs. to 1,200lbs. Females weigh significantly less, however they tend to even out with males during maternity. These predators control the Arctic food chain and prey mainly on ringed seals. Mothers usually bear two cubs, but it is not unusual to see single cubs or triplets depending on the condition of the mother. Cubs generally stay with their mothers for two to two and a half years after being born.


Global warming has hugely effected these majestic creatures. Not only is their literal land being reduced, but there is also a huge increase in poisonous methane and CO2 gasses in their air. The population condition of these creatures is rapidly declining, and if nothing is done we could lose them completely by 2080. 

Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears are found in a variety of habitats, from dense forests, to sub-alpine meadows and arctic tundra. Often seen as the "main type" of bear, this creature has been labeled as dangerous and frightening. Human encroachment has forced the remaining brown bear populations to move to rugged mountains and remote forests that are undisturbed by humans.


Grizzly bears are omnivorous and will eat both vegetation and animals. Anything from grass and berries, to birds and fish is fair game. In some areas, these predators will even eat larger mammals such as moose, caribou, and elk. A grizzly bear's diet varies greatly depending on what foods are available during each particular season. A grizzly bear's life is quite a bit different than their bulkier white cousins. Grizzlies live solitary lives except during breeding, cub rearing, and in areas with abundant food supplies such as salmon streams. Also, these bears hibernate during the winter for five to eight months, enclosed in dens which they dig in slopes to ensure good snow cover.

The current threat to these historic predators is quite high. The once common grizzly bear population in America has been reduced to only two percent of its historic density. Climate change is destroying the higher elevation sources of food, which is forcing the bears to search for food in lower elevation inhabited by humans. Humans poach the bears for their fur, and thus become the main threat to the livelihood of these creatures.

Panda Bears
Giant pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China, Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. They once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other developments forced them to the mountains. These beautiful bears live in broadleaf and coniferous forests with a dense bamboo understory, generally found in high elevations. The climate is dominated by torrential rains and dense mists, often shrouded in heavy clouds.

What is really unique about this famous type of bear is its coat. The black and white pattern is seemingly designed for camouflage purposes. The fur coat is also thicker than average, allowing the bear to stay warm during the rains of the broadleaf forests. Panda bears have exceptionally strong molar teeth and jaw muscles, created to crush tough bamboo - their exclusive source of food. Not nearly as large as the previous two bears, the panda bear usually does not exceed 250lbs. However, its lighter weight does not exclude it from being dangerous to humans.

Panda populations are rapidly declining, and there are only 1,600 left in the entire world! The main reasons for their endangerment is their low reproductive rate, shortages in bamboo for both food and habitat, and human poaching. While scientists are attempting to breed pandas in zoos, it will hardly be enough to stop the destruction of their living environments, and the poachers who take their furs for money.

In Foresight
Bears are fascinating creatures, and while remaining distant and dangerous they offer a sense of joy and tranquility to our natural environment. With their populations declining so fast, the next few generations might see the last few remaining bears in the world. However, the three most known types of bears discussed above will be remembered forever as distinct and beautiful creatures.