Ursidae - bears
There are 8 species of bears in this family. They are found in
all parts of the world, except Antarctica and Australia. They are found in a wide-variety of habitats including deserts, grasslands, tundra, forests,
mountains, and ice floes. They are large animals and have
small, rounded ears; pointed snouts; small eyes; and short tails.
They have large paws with five strong claws that they use for digging, climbing, and catching their prey. Bears can stand and walk on their hind legs. Many species can climb trees and swim. Most bears have long, shaggy brown, black, or white fur. Males are larger than females. Bears are omnivores. They eat fruit, berries, seeds, small mammals, birds, eggs, fish, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and carrion. The polar bear eats mostly meat and hunts seals! The panda eats mostly bamboo, but also eats insects and carrion. Except for mothers and their young, bears are solitary and live and hunt alone.
Endangered in N.H.
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Threatened in N.H.
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Introduced
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Endangered in U.S.
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Threatened in U.S.
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