5 Cool Facts About Bears
Bears have captured the attention (and hearts) of many over the years, but here are 5 facts about these iconic animals that you may not have known!
Bears are one of North America's most intelligent land animals. They have the largest and most complex brains of any land mammal their size, and they rely on it for a variety of behaviors.
1. Multiple layers
While it's easy to imagine bears as fluffy cuddle monsters, there's a lot more to them than meets the eye!
The coat of a polar bear is made up of two distinct layers: the shorter coat provides weather insulation, while the longer coat prevents water from reaching the short coat layer and skin.
Each layer serves a specific purpose and allows bears to thrive in subzero temperatures.
2. Massive, powerful, and quick!
Grizzly bears have a biting force of more than 1200 PSI, which is strong enough to crush a bowling ball or an iron skillet.
Adult grizzly bears can reach speeds of up to 40mph, which is the same as a greyhound bus and would actually exceed the speed limit on many roads in the United States!
Polar bears, the largest bear species, can weigh between 900 and 1500 pounds and grow to be 6 to 10 feet long!
With all of these incredible physical characteristics, it's no surprise that bears have proven to be dominant predators in the wild.
3. Choose your favorite
North American black bears, brown bears, polar bears, Asiatic black bears, Andean bears, panda bears, sloth bears, and sun bears are the eight species of bears.
Each of these species is distinguished by its unique size, markings, and characteristics.
Sloth bears, for example, have those adorable rounded ears, cream-colored snouts, and a distinct "V" or "Y" shaped white mark on their chests.
4. Take one small step…
Because bears can walk a short distance on their hind legs, some Native Americans refer to them as "the beasts that walk like a man."
This ability is cruelly exploited in cruel bear dancing, as they can shuffle in a way that makes it appear as if they are "dancing."
Bears usually stand on their hind legs to get a better view or scent of what's ahead of them.
5. Exceptional intelligence
Bears are one of North America's most intelligent land animals. They have the largest and most complex brains of any land mammal their size, and they rely on it for a variety of behaviors.
Grizzly bears, for example, can remember food hotspots after ten years, and some have even been observed covering their tracks or hiding behind rocks and trees to avoid detection by hunters. In order to sneak up on prey, grizzly bears have learned to camouflage their scent by rolling around in rotting flesh. Sneak up on your prey.
Bonus Fact: They need your help
Bears have become victims of a variety of exploitation around the world, including bear circuses, bear-baiting, and bear dancing.
We're working to put an end to the mistreatment of wild animals used for entertainment, but we can't do it without your help.
Related: 6 Things Your Cat Loves
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