Family URSIDAE

(BEARS)

• Large mammals with big head and thick neck, small eyes, rounded ears, no facial vibrissae; muscular bodies with stout legs, large paws, and short tail.

• 100-280 cm.

• Holarctic, Neotropical, and Oriental regions.

• Forested environments (boreal, temperate, and tropical) to tundra and semi-desert; one species in Arctic.

• 5 genera, 8 species, at least 44 extant taxa.

• 1 species Endangered, 5 Vulnerable; 2 subspecies Extinct since 1600.