The Spectacled Bear is Endangered!

ORDER: Carnivorous

FAMILY: Ursidae

Their name comes from a characteristic in its appearance, since it displays some clearer stains around its eyes that make it seem that it used glasses. It is the only species of bears in South America. We can find it in the whole area of the mountain range in the countries of Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It is distributed especially in the high area until the 4000 meters, although frequently they can go lower until the level of the sea. Their great size is between 1.30 and 1.90 mts. of total longitude and weight of up to 175 grs - in the males - this animal is known as the biggest in the terrestrial vertebrates of Colombia, and of Suramérica in general, continued by the Tapir or Danta. It is a day animal, of solitary and very skilled behavior climbing trees - they have been observed to more than 15 meters high, catching the fruits of the trees - where in general besides getting food, they build their " beds " and nests of storms. Their diet reduces it to be an animal omnivero, although meat (as small rodents) they eat very little. Their foods favritos are the fruits, roots, bromelias, insects, corn, leaves, etc. In captivity, the Andean Bear, as well as it is known, can live more than 20 years, and in their natural habitat it is believed that a little more. The females usually measure two thirds of the male's size. and they mature at the 4 year-old age, and it is there when they are clever for the reproduction, which happens between April and June. Some months later, between November and February, they are generally born, two small breedings that weigh between 450 and 500 grams. The small ocelots, remain from 6 to 8 months beside their mother. The couple's individuals are together from one to two weeks. In their reproduction there is slowed installation. The Bear of Glasses is directly descending of the extinct bear " bulldog " (Arctodus simus) that inhabited our planet during the glacier era in the American continent. Their ecological contribution is dispersing the seeds of the fruits that they eat up maintaining the balance of the forests. The Bear of Glasses is vulnerable specie to the extinction; studies say that it is possible that there hardly are 2000 of these bears in the wild life. Their vulnerability resides in that its distribution agrees with the area of bigger development of the country and they are pursued erroneously to consider them dangerous animals.