|
Class:
|
Mammalia
|
|
Order:
|
Carnivora
|
|
Family:
|
Ursidae
|
|
Genus:
|
Tremarctos
|
|
Species:
|
ornatus
|
|
Life span:
|
About 20 years in the wild
Up to 38 years under human care |
|
Gestation:
|
Ranges widely from 160 to 255 days
|
|
Number of young:
|
1 – 4 in the wild
On average 2 cubs per female in captivity |
|
Age of maturity:
|
4 – 7 years
|
|
Size:
|
5.5 – 6.5 ft. long, with males 30 to 50 percent larger than females
|
|
Weight:
|
Females are 132 – 176 lbs.
Males are 220 – 386 lbs. |
Fun Facts:
-
Andean bears are the only bears found in South America
-
Andean bears are the only known bears to eat bromeliads
-
Has rings of white or light fur around its eyes. The rest of the bear’s fur is black or dark brown.
-
Mainly plant eaters, these bears are the most vegetarian members of the bear family aside from the bamboo-eating giant panda. Only about 5 percent of their diet is meat and usually rodents and insects.
-
Cubs can ride on the mothers back or she can carry a cub by clutching it to her chest with one front paw as she runs on three legs or walks on her hind legs.
