Ursidae, from Latin ursus (“bear”), in reference to the fact that all the members of this family are bears.

Common names of members

Brown bears, polar bears, Giant Panda, American black bears, sun bear.

Distribution 

All continents except Antarctica and Australia.

Size

The smallest species ranges 25–65 kg in weight and 100–140 cm in length, while the largest ranges 350–700 kg and 2.4–3 m.

Morphology

They are plantigrade (walking on the soles of the feet). They distribute their weight toward the hind feet, which makes them look lumbering when they walk. They are capable of bursts of speed but soon tire, and as a result mostly rely on ambush rather than the chase. They have a single type of melanin and the hairs have a single color throughout their length, apart from the tip which is sometimes a different shade. The coat consists of long guard hairs, which form a protective shaggy covering, and short dense hairs which form an insulating layer trapping air close to the skin. They have small rounded ears. The canine teeth are large but mostly used for display, and the molar teeth flat and crushing. Unlike most other members of the Carnivora, bears have relatively undeveloped carnassial teeth, and their teeth are adapted for a diet that includes a significant amount of vegetable matter.

Habitat & Ecology

They occur in a range of habitats which include tropical lowland rainforest, both coniferous and broadleaf forests, prairies, steppes, montane grassland, alpine scree slopes, Arctic tundra and in the case of the polar bear, ice floes.

Diet

Most bears are opportunistic omnivores and consume more plant than animal matter, and appear to have evolved from an ancestor which was a low-protein macronutrient omnivore. They eat anything from leaves, roots, and berries to insects, carrion, fresh meat, and fish, and have digestive systems and teeth adapted to such a diet.

Reproduction 

Female and male individuals only interact during mating season. They are polygynandrous (both males and females mate with multiple individuals). They usually give birth to 2 offspring every 1-4 years. Mothers are responsible for parental care. They mostly live in a den. Mothers are very aggressive when protecting the young. Live skills are passed from mother to the young.

Species known in Hong Kong

0

Total species known

8

Species in the collection

4

Species in Hong Kong

0

Reference

Nowak, R. M. (2005). Walker's Carnivores of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Janis, C. M., Scott, K. M., Jacobs, L. L. (2005). Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America. Cambridge University Press.

Cavendish, M. (2010). Mammal Anatomy: An Illustrated Guide.

Robbins, C.T., Christian, A.L., Vineyard, T.G., Thompson, D., Knott, K. K., Tollefson, T. N., Fidgett, A. L., Wickersham, T. A. (2022). Ursids evolved early and continuously to be low-protein macronutrient omnivores. Scientific Reports volume 12, 15251. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-19742-z.