Bear

Bear species range from the tiny sun bear of Southeast Asia to the towering polar bear of the Arctic. Thick fur, strong limbs, and plantigrade feet (walking flat on the entire sole) help bears travel long distances over rugged terrain. Most bears are omnivores, eating berries, nuts, roots, insects, and fish, while polar bears specialize in hunting seals on sea ice. Their powerful sense of smell can detect food miles away, and they stand upright to sniff the wind or look over tall brush.

Bears spend much of the year preparing for winter. In cold climates, species such as brown bears gorge on salmon runs and berry patches to build fat reserves. Pregnant females dig dens where they give birth to tiny cubs during winter dormancy. Cub vocalizations and maternal grunts keep families connected until spring, when the mother teaches climbing, swimming, and foraging skills. In warmer regions, bears remain active year-round but still seek shaded tree hollows or caves for rest.

Bears act as ecosystem engineers by spreading seeds in their scat and digging up logs, which aerates soil and releases insects for other animals to eat. When bears drag salmon onto riverbanks, leftover nutrients feed forests, linking oceans to land. Because bears roam huge territories, they require protected corridors that allow safe passage across highways and settlements.

Human-bear encounters increase when food is left unsecured. Wildlife agencies promote "bear aware" practices: storing garbage in bear-proof containers, removing bird feeders during peak activity, and camping with scented items locked away. In some mountain towns, community bear patrols gently haze curious bears back into the woods, preventing them from associating people with snacks.

Bears inspire folklore about strength and wisdom, from Indigenous stories in North America to constellations like Ursa Major. Scientists track bears with GPS collars to monitor population health and the effects of climate change on sea ice and hibernation patterns. Respecting bears from a distance ensures they continue to roam forests, tundra, and coastlines, keeping ecosystems balanced.