(Image above from google)
1. Adult bears can run up to an incredible 40mph, which is the same pace as a greyhound and breaking the speed limit on many roads in the UK.
2. The characteristic shaggy appearance of bears is made up of two unique layers, one of short fur and one of long fur. The short hair layer is designed to keep them warm, whilst the longer layer prevents water from reaching the short hair layer and skin.
3. Grizzly bears possess a biting force of over 1200 PSI, which is enough to crush a bowling ball. When this factor is combined with a mouth gape of 30 centimetres, with 5 centimetre canines, the grizzly bear proves itself to be a formidable opponent in the wild.
4. Bears can walk a short distance on their hind legs, which has led some Native Americans to refer to them as 'the beasts that walk like man'. It is this ability that is cruelly exploited in bear dancing, as they are able to shuffle in a way that looks entertaining.
5. Only the polar bear is a full carnivore, whilst the other 7 bear species are omnivores. Across the bear kingdom, diet can differ dramatically. Polar bears eat mainly seals, whilst 99% of the panda bear diet is made up of bamboo.
6. Polar bears hold the title of the largest species of bear, on all fours that are an average of 3.5 to 5 feet, whilst standing on their hind legs they can be as big as 10 feet. They are around 7.25 to 8 foot in length and weigh around 775 to 1,200 lbs (male) / 330 to 650 lbs (female).
7. Bears live as long as 30 years in the wild. One captive brown bear lived to the age of 47.
8. There are eight species of bear: American black bear, Asiatic black bear, brown bear, giant panda bear, polar bear, spectacled bear, sloth bear and sun bear.
9. The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is a medium-sized bear native to North America.
10. American black bears are primarily found in forested areas with thick ground cover and an abundance of fruits, nuts and vegetation. In the northern areas, they can be found in the tundra, and they will sometimes forage in fields or meadows.
11. The sun bear is the smallest bear in the world. It grows to be 1.2 to 1.5 meters (4 to 5 feet long) and weighs 30 to 70 kilograms (66 to 154 pounds).
12. Bears are extraordinarily intelligent animals. They have far superior navigation skills to humans; excellent memories; large brain to body ratio; and use tools in various contexts from play to hunting.
13. Bears produce a variety of vocalizations such as: Moaning, Barking, Huffing, Growling, Roaring and Humming.
14. During hibernation, the bear's metabolism slows down, its body temperature decreases slightly, and its heart rate slows from a normal value of 55 to just 9 beats per minute.
15. Baby bears are called cubs, female bears are called sows, and male bears are called boars. A group of bears is called a sloth.
16. The bear's courtship period is very brief. Bears in northern climates reproduce seasonally, usually after a period of inactivity similar to hibernation, although tropical species breed all year round.
17. Litter size ranges from one to six
18. The tiger is the only predator known to regularly prey on adult bears, including fully grown adults of brown bears, sloth bears, Asiatic black bears, and sun bears.
19. Bears grieve deeply for others. Cubs are known to moan and cry when separated from their mothers. This can go on for weeks if their mothers are killed by hunters.
20. Of eight bear species in the world, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists six as vulnerable or endangered. The only exceptions are black and brown bears. The giant panda is the world's most threatened bear species.
21. Unlike many mammals, bears can see in color.
22. Koala bears are not bears at all and are not related to the bear family. They are marsupials.
That's all for this chapter. Also my book has been entered into the #wattys2019 which I'm super exited about so thank you for making it possible.
What would you like facts on next? You decide.
See you in the next chapter!
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