Two lineages evolved from U. minimus: the black bears (including the sun bear, the Asian black bear, and the American black bear); and the brown bears (which includes the polar bear).

Jan 2, 2026 · Bear, any of eight species of large short-tailed carnivores found in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The sun bear is the smallest, often weighing less than 50 kg (110 pounds).

What is a bear - what family they belong to, what they are related to, where they live, are they carnivores, behavioral characteristics, pictures, and more.

They can be as small as four feet long and about 60 pounds (the sun bear) to as big as eight feet long and more than a thousand pounds (the polar bear). They’re found throughout North …

Bear Evolution Early bears Bears are the youngest of the carnivore families, having arisen from doglike ancestors during the Eocene Epoch 55 million to 38 million years ago.

Bear is the common name for any of the mammals comprising the family Ursidae of the Carnivora order, characterized by a large and heavy body, thick fur, relatively short but stocky legs, and …

There are eight distinct species of bears, each with unique characteristics and habitats, from the famous grizzly to the elusive Andean bear. Click on any species below to discover fascinating …

Jul 27, 2022 · Discover Earth's largest land carnivore family with the latest bear news, features and articles from Live Science.

Bear facts: Bears are intelligent animals who can count, use tools, solve problems and communicate with a range of vocalisations and facial expressions.

Dec 22, 2025 · North America is home to three different species of bear: black bears (Ursus americanus); brown bears, also called the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos); and polar bears (Ursus …