The only bear native to South America, the spectacled bear is the most arboreal of the bears. Long sharp claws are used to climb trees. Folding over tree branches, the bear forms a platform from which to forage on fruits. It may sleep and feed from its nest for days.
Spectacled Bear
Tremarctos ornatus
Fact File
Where to see them: Kroger Lords of the Arctic
Length: 4.3 to 6.6 ft
Weight: Male – 220 to 440 lbs, Female – 130 to 175 lbs
Lifespan: Up to 39 yrs in captivity
Habitat: Mountain forests, grasslands, and scrub desert
Diet: Primarily fruits, bromeliads, bamboo, cactus, and other plants, some small animals
Risk Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Vulnerable)
Bear Beware: The spectacled bear suffers from habitat loss and hunting for its meat and body parts, which are used in traditional Asian medicine.
