Titles: brown bear, grizzly bear, North American brown bear.
IN North America known as the “grizzly” (previously, the brown North American bear was identified as a separate species).

Area: The brown bear was once common throughout Europe, including England and Ireland, in the south its range reached northwest Africa (the Atlas Mountains), and in the east through Siberia and China it reached Japan. It probably came to North America about 40,000 years ago from Asia, through the Bering Isthmus, and spread widely in the western part of the continent from Alaska to northern Mexico.
Now the brown bear has been exterminated in a large part of its former range, and is scarce in other areas. IN Western Europe its scattered populations survive in the Pyrenees, Cantabrian Mountains, Alps and Apennines. Brown bear quite common in Scandinavia and Finland, sometimes found in the forests of Central Europe and the Carpathians. In Asia, it is distributed from Western Asia, Palestine, northern Iraq and Iran to northern China and the Korean Peninsula. In Japan it is found on the island of Hokkaido.

Description: The appearance of this beast is well known. His body is powerful with high withers (hump). This hump is actually a mass of muscles that allow brown bears to dig easily and use their paws as striking force. The head is massive with small ears and eyes. The tail is short - 65-210 mm, barely standing out from the fur. There is a clearly visible depression between the forehead and the bridge of the nose in profile. In a standing animal, the withers are noticeably higher than the croup. Paws are strong, five-fingered, plantigrade. The feet of a brown bear are very wide, the toes are armed with long, powerful, laterally compressed and crescent-shaped non-retractable claws 8-10 cm long, which are much longer on the forelimbs than on the hind limbs.
The coat is long, thick and coarse, often felted and usually evenly colored. Brown bears molt twice - in autumn and spring. Spring molt lasts a long time and is most intense during the rutting period. Autumn molting proceeds slowly and imperceptibly, ending with the period of lying in the den.
The brown bear has 40 teeth.

Color: The color of a brown bear is very variable, not only in different parts of its range, but also within one area. The color of the fur varies from light fawn to bluish and almost black. The most common is the brown form. In Rocky Mountain grizzlies, the hair on the back may be white at the ends, giving the appearance of a gray or grizzled coat. A completely grayish-white color is found in brown bears in the Himalayas, and a pale reddish-brown color is found in Syria. Bear cubs have light markings on their necks and chests, which disappear with age. The bear's paws are black or brownish in color, with wrinkled skin on the pad.

During the rutting period, usually silent animals begin to emit a loud roar.

Size: The length of the European brown bear is usually 1.2-2 m with a height at the withers of about 1 m and a weight of 135 to 250 kg. Bears living in middle lane Russia, smaller and weigh only 80-120 kg. Largest sizes bears from the Far East, Kamchatka and especially from Alaska and Kodiak Island, where they are called grizzlies, differ - some giants, standing on their hind legs, reach a height of 2.8-3 m.

Weight: The weight of an adult brown bear ranges from 80-600 kg and, despite intensive hunting, bears weighing up to 750 kg are still found. The largest individuals are found in Alaska and Kamchatka - they weigh 300 kg or more, and giants weighing 600-700 kg have been encountered. The largest bear caught on the island. Kodiak for the Berlin Zoo, weighed 1134 kg. Average weight: males: 135-390 kg, females: 95-205 kg. In autumn, a bear's weight can increase by about 20%.

Lifespan: In nature they live for 20-30 years, in captivity they live for more than 50 years.

Habitat: The brown bear is a forest animal. Its usual habitats in Russia are continuous forested areas with windbreaks and burnt areas with dense growth of deciduous trees, shrubs and grasses, interspersed with swamps, lawns, and ponds; can enter both the tundra and alpine forests. In Europe it prefers mountain forests; in North America it is more often found in open areas - in the tundra, alpine meadows and on the coast.
The habitat of the brown bear in our country occupies almost the entire forest zone, with the exception of southern regions. The bear finds shelter under the forest canopy, and open areas serve as feeding grounds. Berry trees, tall grasses, hazel trees - this is what attracts bears, regardless of where they grow - in a dark coniferous forest, in a clearing of a light forest, in a stream valley or in the chars of the Siberian mountains.

Food: The brown bear is omnivorous, but its diet is 3/4 plant-based: berries, acorns, nuts, roots, tubers and grass stems. In years when there is no berry harvest in the northern regions, bears visit oat crops, and in the southern regions - corn crops; on Far East in autumn they feed in cedar forests.
Its diet also includes insects (ants), worms, lizards, frogs, rodents (mice, marmots, gophers, chipmunks). In summer, insects and their larvae sometimes make up up to 1/3 of a bear’s diet. Large males attack young ungulates - roe deer, fallow deer, deer (caribou, red deer, pampas deer), ibex, wild boar and moose. Some animals, most often males from the northern part of their range, hunt ungulates, hiding them or attacking from ambush. An adult bear is capable of breaking the spine of an elk or horse with one blow of its paw. When hunting ungulates, such bears display amazing strength, agility and tirelessness in pursuing victims.
The bear covers the prey or found carrion with brushwood and stays nearby until it has completely eaten the carcass. If the animal is not very hungry, it often waits several days until the meat becomes softer.
On occasion, brown bears hunt sea otters and seals on coastal haulouts and even go out onto the ice in pursuit of seals. Grizzlies sometimes attack baribal bears.
The brown bear sometimes takes prey from tigers, wolves and pumas. In summer and autumn, Far Eastern bears catch salmon going to spawn. On spawning rivers you can sometimes see 10-30 animals at once.
In years when food is poor, bears sometimes attack livestock and destroy apiaries. In some years, due to the failure of the pine nut harvest in large areas of the Siberian taiga, bears do not have time to fatten up properly in the fall, and in winter they become homeless connecting rods, very dangerous for people who find themselves in their path.

Behavior: The brown bear is active more often at dusk, in the mornings and evenings, but on rainy days it wanders throughout the day. Daytime vigil is typical for bears in the mountains of Siberia. The seasonal cyclicality of life is clearly expressed.
Bears are very sensitive; they navigate the terrain mainly with the help of hearing and smell; their eyesight is weak. Brown bears can smell rotting meat more than 2.5 km away.
Although the bear's body weight is large and it seems clumsy, in fact it is a silent, fast and easy-to-move animal. The bear runs extremely fast - with the agility of a good racer - at a speed of over 55 km/h. He is a good swimmer, can swim 6 km or even more, and willingly swims, especially in hot weather. In his youth, a brown bear climbs trees well, but in old age he does this reluctantly, although it cannot be said that he completely loses this ability. However, it moves in deep snow with difficulty.
When encountering a dangerous opponent, the bear emits a loud roar, stands on its hind legs and tries to knock down the enemy with blows of its front paws or grab him.
In the winter, looking for a den, bears can go far from their summer area.
The brown bear is a sedentary animal and only the young, having separated from the family, wander until they create their own family. Individual hunting ranges are large and males have more than females. The bear marks and defends the boundaries of the areas. In the summer, male bears mark the boundaries of their territory by standing on their hind legs and tearing bark from trees with their claws. Such “border trees” have been used by various animals for decades. In treeless mountains, the bear tears up any suitable objects - clay slopes or tourist tents (usually in the absence of the owners). To secure your tent, the easiest way to mark the boundary of your site is to urinate in several places at a distance of 10-20 meters around the camp. Boundaries are not respected only during the ripening period of oats and on the eve of hibernation.
In the summer, the bear settles down to rest, lying directly on the ground among grass, bushes or in moss, as long as the place is sufficiently secluded and safe.
In autumn, the animal has to take care of a reliable shelter for the winter until mid-spring.
Depending on climatic and other conditions, bears are in dens from October-November to March-April and later, i.e. approximately 5-6 months. Bears with cubs live the longest in dens, old males live the least. In different areas, winter sleep lasts from 75 to 195 days a year.
For a den, the bear chooses the most reliable, remote and dry corners, somewhere on an island of forest in the middle of a vast moss swamp. The animal sometimes comes here from several tens of kilometers away and, approaching the target, confuses its tracks in every possible way. Sometimes bears have favorite wintering places, and they gather here from the whole neighborhood. So, once in Russia, 12 dens were discovered on an area of ​​about 20 hectares.
Very often, dens are located in holes protected by windbreaks or roots of fallen trees. In some areas, animals dig deep dens in the ground, and in the mountains they occupy caves and rock crevices. Often, bears limit themselves to open lying in dense young spruce trees, near a tree or even in an open clearing, having dragged there a bunch of moss and spruce branches in the form of a large nest. Sometimes a bear makes a den right in a dug-up anthill of red forest ants. Pregnant female bears make deeper, more spacious and warmer dens than males do. The bear lines the finished den with moss, dry grass, pine branches, leaves and hay. Over time, the den is covered with snow from above, so that only a small hole for ventilation remains (the forehead), the edges of which become covered with frost in severe frosts.

The bear is the largest predator on earth. This animal belongs to the class mammals, order carnivores, family bears, genus bears ( Ursus). The bear appeared on the planet about 6 million years ago and has always been a symbol of power and strength.

Bear - description, characteristics, structure. What does a bear look like?

Depending on the species, the body length of a predator can vary from 1.2 to 3 meters, and the weight of a bear varies from 40 kg to a ton. The body of these animals is large, stocky, with a thick, short neck and a large head. Powerful jaws make it easy to chew both plant and meat foods. The limbs are rather short and slightly curved. Therefore, the bear walks, swaying from side to side, and rests on its entire foot. The speed of a bear in moments of danger can reach 50 km/h. With the help of large and sharp claws, these animals extract food from the ground, tear apart prey and climb trees. Many species of bears are good swimmers. U polar bear For this purpose, there is a special membrane between the fingers. The lifespan of a bear can reach 45 years.

Bears do not have sharp eyesight or well-developed hearing. This is compensated by an excellent sense of smell. Sometimes animals stand on their hind legs to use their sense of smell to obtain information about their surroundings.

Thick bear fur covering the body has a different color: from reddish-brown to black, white in polar bears or black and white in pandas. Species with dark fur turn gray and gray in old age.

Does a bear have a tail?

Yes, but only the giant panda has a noticeable tail. In other species it is short and almost indistinguishable in the fur.

Types of bears, names and photos

In the bear family, zoologists distinguish 8 species of bears, which are divided into many different subspecies:

• Brown bear (common bear) (Ursus arctos)

The appearance of a predator of this species is typical for all representatives of the bear family: a powerful body, rather high at the withers, a massive head with rather small ears and eyes, a short, barely noticeable tail, and large paws with very powerful claws. The body of a brown bear is covered with thick fur with brownish, dark gray, and reddish colors, which vary depending on the habitat of the “clubfoot”. Baby bear cubs often have large light tan marks on the chest or neck area, although these marks disappear with age.

The distribution range of the brown bear is wide: it is found in the mountain systems of the Alps and on the Apennine Peninsula, common in Finland and the Carpathians, and feels comfortable in Scandinavia, Asia, China, the northwestern United States and Russian forests.

• Polar (white) bear (Ursus maritimus)

It is the largest representative of the family: its body length often reaches 3 meters, and its weight can exceed one ton. At the polar bear Long neck and a slightly flattened head - this distinguishes it from its counterparts of other species. The color of the bear’s fur is from boiling white to slightly yellowish; the hairs are hollow inside, so they give the bear’s “fur coat” excellent thermal insulation properties. The soles of the paws are thickly lined with tufts of coarse fur, which allows the polar bear to easily move across the ice without slipping. There is a membrane between the toes that facilitates the swimming process. The habitat of this bear species is the circumpolar regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

• Baribal (black bear) (Ursus americanus)

The bear is a little similar to its brown relative, but differs from it in its smaller size and blue-black fur. The length of an adult baribal does not exceed two meters, and female bears are even smaller - their body is usually 1.5 meters long. pointed muzzle, long paws, ending with rather short feet - this is what makes this representative of bears remarkable. By the way, baribals can become black only in the third year of life, receiving a gray or brownish color at birth. The black bear's habitat is vast: from the vastness of Alaska to the territories of Canada and hot Mexico.

• Malayan bear (biruang) (Helarctos malayanus)

The most “miniature” species among its bear counterparts: its length does not exceed 1.3-1.5 meters, and the height at the withers is slightly more than half a meter. This type of bear has a stocky build, a short, rather wide muzzle with small round ears. The paws of the Malayan bear are high, while the large, long feet with huge claws look a little disproportionate. The body is covered with short and very tough black-brown fur; the animal’s chest is “decorated” with a white-red spot. The Malayan bear lives in the southern regions of China, Thailand and Indonesia.

• White-breasted (Himalayan) bear (Ursus thibetanus)

The slender physique of the Himalayan bear is not very large in size - this representative of the family is two times smaller than its brown relative: the male has a length of 1.5-1.7 meters, while the height at the withers is only 75-80 cm, females are even smaller. The bear's body, covered with shiny and silky fur of dark brown or black color, is crowned by a head with a pointed muzzle and large round ears. A mandatory “attribute” of the Himalayan bear’s appearance is a spectacular white or yellowish spot on the chest. This type of bear lives in Iran and Afghanistan, is found in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas, in Korea, Vietnam, China and Japan, and feels at ease in the open spaces Khabarovsk Territory and in the south of Yakutia.

• Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

A medium-sized predator - length 1.5-1.8 meters, height at the withers from 70 to 80 cm. The muzzle is short, not too wide. The fur of the spectacled bear is shaggy, has a black or black-brown tint, and there are always white-yellow rings around the eyes, smoothly turning into a whitish “collar” of fur on the animal’s neck. The habitat of this type of bear is the countries of South America: Colombia and Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama.

• Gubach (Melursus ursinus)

A predator with a body length of up to 1.8 meters, height at the withers varies from 65 to 90 centimeters, females are approximately 30% smaller than males in both respects. The body of the sloth fish is massive, the head is large, with a flat forehead and an overly elongated muzzle, which ends in mobile, completely hairless, protruding lips. The bear's fur is long, usually black or dirty brown in color, and in the area of ​​the animal's neck it often forms something like a shaggy mane. The sloth bear's chest has a light spot. The habitat of this type of bear is India, some areas of Pakistan, Bhutan, the territory of Bangladesh and Nepal.

• Big panda (bamboo bear) ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

This type of bear has a massive, squat body, which is covered with dense, thick black and white fur. The paws are short, thick, with sharp claws and completely hairless pads: this allows pandas to firmly hold smooth and slippery bamboo stems. The structure of the front paws of these bears is very unusually developed: five ordinary fingers are complemented by a large sixth, although it is not a real finger, but a modified bone. Such amazing paws enable the panda to easily handle the thinnest shoots of bamboo. The bamboo bear lives in the mountainous regions of China, with especially large populations living in Tibet and Sichuan.

Where do bears live?

The distribution range of bears includes Eurasia, North and South America, Asia, some islands of Japan, Northwestern Africa and the Arctic. Bears live in the forest. Except for polar bears, all representatives of this family lead a sedentary lifestyle. They can stay in families (a mother bear with cubs), but usually prefer solitude. Each individual has its own territory where the bear lives, hunts and winters. In places with excess food, several bears can be present at the same time. Animals living in cold regions fall into seasonal hibernation, lasting up to 200 days.

Bear breeding

Although bears are monogamous, their pairings do not last long. Shortly after the mating season takes place at different types at different times, they disintegrate. Depending on the species, a female bear's pregnancy lasts from 180 to 250 days. A female bear gives birth during hibernation and emerges from the shelter with her cubs. A litter usually contains from 1 to 4 cubs, which are born without teeth, with eyes closed and practically without fur. They feed on their mother's milk for about a year. For about 2 years, babies are near their mother. The cubs of the previous litter help the mother in raising young offspring. Bears become sexually mature at 3-5 years of age.

In zoos, bears are kept in large enclosures that create conditions that best match the natural habitat of each species. In addition to tree trunks, piles of stones and wooden structures, a spacious swimming pool is necessary. The food must be seasonal and contain products that are available to the animal in natural conditions. Vitamins are used as an addition to the diet, bone flour And fish fat. Despite the fact that little bear cubs are very cute and funny, it is not worth keeping this wild animal at home: an adult bear is a dangerous and powerful predator for which native home– these are natural spaces.

• The Malayan (sun) bear is the smallest among the “bear” representatives - its dimensions do not exceed the dimensions of a large dog: the height at the withers is only 55-70 centimeters, and the weight varies from 30 to 65 kg.
• The normal pulse of a bear is 40 beats per minute, but during hibernation this figure drops to 8-10 beats.
• The only true predator is the white polar bear: it feeds on meat and fish, all other species of “clubfoot” are omnivores and prefer a varied menu.
• A newborn brown bear cub weighs only 450-500 grams at birth, but by the time it reaches adulthood, this baby gains 1000 times its weight!

He is a frequent hero of many children's fairy tales, where, unlike the evil wolf and the cunning fox, he is more of a positive character, a sort of good-natured giant. In reality, a bear is not always as good-natured as in fairy tales and can be quite dangerous. Since ancient times, his image was surrounded by a certain halo of benevolence and awe, and our ancestors, the ancient Slavs, even revered the bear as a sacred animal, to some extent personifying the very spirit of the forest.

Bear: description, structure, characteristics. What does a bear look like?

Currently, the bear is the largest land predator on our planet. Having appeared on Earth about 6 million years ago, it immediately became the personification of power and strength.

Depending on the species, the body length of a bear can range from 1.2 to 3 meters, with a weight from 40 kg to a ton. The bear's body itself is large, stocky, with a thick, short neck and a large head.

The bear's powerful jaws make it easy and convenient to gnaw both plant and animal food. The bear's paws are short and slightly curved; for this reason, bears walk with a slight sway and rest on the entire foot. It is because of this anatomical feature of the structure of bear paws that the nickname “clubfoot” has been attached to them since ancient times. Although, despite their “clubfoot” and apparent clumsiness, bears are very fast and agile - the speed of a bear chasing prey or in moments of danger can reach up to 50 km per hour.

And bears are not only excellent runners, but also no less good swimmers, they are excellent swimmers, and polar bears even have special membranes between their paws, all for ease of swimming.

Bears can also climb trees. All these features make meeting a clubfoot in the forest very undesirable and dangerous, because if something happens, you can’t hide from it either in a tree or in the water.

A bear’s hearing, however, like its vision, is not its strong point (it’s not for nothing that there is even a saying about a person deprived of an ear for music - “a bear stepped on his ear”). But these shortcomings are more than compensated for by the excellent sense of smell that all bears have. It is thanks to smells that bears navigate the surrounding space and receive the necessary information about what is happening around them.

All bears are covered with thick fur. The color of a bear's fur depends on its species, and sometimes determines its name: brown bear, polar bear. Interesting fact: bears with dark fur, like people, turn gray in old age, and their fur turns from black to gray. It is also interesting that in the zoo in Leipzig there is a bear without hair, more precisely, it is a bear named Dolores, as scientists believe, she lost her hair due to some rare genetic disease. But something like this in the bear kingdom is truly an exceptional phenomenon.

Does a bear have a tail?

Yes, there is, but only in pandas is it visually noticeable. The rest of the bears have a tail so small that it is practically invisible, hiding in thick fur.

How long do bears live?

How many years do bears live? Average duration The lifespan of clubfooted predators is 45 years.

Where does the bear live?

The habitat of bears is very wide and includes all of Eurasia, North and South America, the Arctic and northwestern Africa. Bears live exclusively in forests.

What does a bear eat?

Bears are omnivores who love to feast on various forest game (hares, roe deer, moose, all can become prey for a bear) and juicy berries and fruits. They will not refuse fish either; by the way, some bears are excellent fishermen, skillfully catching fish in rivers and lakes. Just like a real sweet tooth, bears love honey, which sometimes makes the forest animals very nervous (the favorite children's cartoon about Winnie the Pooh and his trip for honey has a very real basis).

But also the diet of a bear depends on its species, for example, a good-natured panda is a vegetarian bear, as it feeds only on bamboo shoots, a Himalayan bear happily eats insects and shellfish, but a polar bear is a true predator, feeding exclusively on meat and vegetables. You can't lure him with food.

Lifestyle of bears

All types of bears, with the exception of the white one, lead a sedentary lifestyle. They try to live either alone or in small families (a mother bear with cubs). Each bear has its own territory in the forest, where it lives and hunts. In winter, bears go to hibernation, which is one of the characteristic features of these animals.

Bear hibernation

A bear's winter hibernation can last up to 200 days. In preparation for it, bears actively stock up on fat in the fall, and this is critically important for the bear. Those bears that have not managed to gain sufficient fat reserves cannot hibernate and, as a result, turn into connecting rod bears (they also become connecting rod bears due to the bear awakening too early after hibernation). Connecting bears are very dangerous animals (including for humans), attacking everything they come across in the forest. Usually connecting rod bears die from hunger, cold, or a hunter's bullet.

As for the state of ordinary bears hibernating in their secluded den, what is happening to them is somewhat reminiscent of suspended animation - the clubfoot’s pulse during hibernation decreases from the usual 55 beats per minute to 9 beats per minute. The level of metabolism (metabolism) in the bear's body decreases by 53%. At this time, bears, of course, do not eat, drink, or defecate; all their life processes seem to be paused. The exact mechanism of how bears actually hibernate is still a subject of research to this day. scientific research scientists zoologists.

Enemies of the bear

IN natural conditions The bear has no enemies; even packs of wolves prefer to avoid the clubfooted giant. But like many other animals, man became the main enemy of bears; it was destructive poaching and hunting that led to the fact that now many species of bears are on the verge of extinction and are listed in.

Types of bears, photos and names

In the bear family, zoologists have identified 8 main species of bears, which in turn are divided into many subspecies, and we will dwell on them below.

It is also known as the common bear and is the most typical representative of this species. It has thick brown fur, which is why it got the name brown. It lives over a wide geographical range, in the forests of Eurasia, North America, in our country brown bears are found in the Carpathian forests, although in our time it is very rare to see them (but for unlucky tourists this is for the better). Many brown bears are found in the Siberian taiga, the forests of Scandinavia, Canada and some northern US states (for example, Montana).

Polar bear

He is also a polar bear - he is the largest bear in the world, the body length of a polar bear is 3 meters, with a mass of just over 1 ton. These bears are perfectly adapted for life in the northern Arctic latitudes, from their white fur, with which they can be invisible in the snow, to the special structure of their paws, which have membranes for ease of swimming (polar bears swim a lot between ice floes). Just as we wrote above, it is polar bears that are one hundred percent predators, although, strangely enough, the disposition of polar bears is more good-natured than that of their brown relatives. Polar bears live in the polar regions of the northern hemisphere. And by the way, on our website there is a separate article about it, follow the link.

He's a black bear. In many ways it is similar to a brown bear, but differs from it in its smaller size and characteristic black coat color. The length of a black bear does not exceed 2 meters. Baribals live in North America: from the vastness of Alaska to hot Mexico.

He is also the biruang, is the smallest bear in the world, well, how small, the biruang still reaches 1.5 meters in length. It differs from other bears in its disproportionately large paws with huge claws. The body of the Malayan bear is covered with black and brown fur, and its chest is decorated with a white and red spot. The Malayan bear lives in southern China, Thailand and Indonesia.

He's a white-breasted bear. Is far from the most great representative bear family, its size is half that of a brown bear - its body length is 1.5-1.7 m. It also has a white or yellowish spot on its chest. The Himalayan bear lives in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas, in Afghanistan, Tibet, Korea, Vietnam, and China.

Named so due to its unusual coloring on the muzzle, which has white and yellow rings. It is of medium size - the body length of the spectacled bear is 1.5-1.8 m. It lives in South America, in countries such as Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama.

This bear has an elongated muzzle and is of medium size (body length is up to 1.8 m). The sponge's fur is black or brown, and closer to the head it forms something like a shaggy mane. He also has a light spot on his chest. These bears live in India, some areas of Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

He's a bamboo bear. The panda is the friendliest and most peaceful among the bears, as evidenced even by their diet; pandas feed exclusively on plant foods, mainly bamboo shoots. Characteristic appearance Pandas' white head, body, and black paws distinguish them from other types of bears. Pandas live in the mountainous regions of China and Tibet.

Bear breeding

Despite the fact that bears are monogamous animals, their pairings are usually short-lived and break up after a couple of years. The mating season for bears can occur in different time(depending on the species), but what’s interesting is that mother bears always give birth to their cubs in the winter, right during hibernation and come out of the den with cubs. The pregnancy of a female bear, depending on the species, lasts from 180 to 250 days. From 1 to 4 cubs are usually born at a time.

Little bear cubs are born without fur, without teeth and with closed eyes. At first, they are completely dependent on their mother, feeding on her milk, then they begin to quickly gain weight and grow hair until they turn into full-fledged adult bears.

Nowadays, the only places where you can observe bears with your own eyes are zoos, where they are kept in large spacious enclosures designed to recreate natural conditions as much as possible. In addition to trees and stones, the enclosure must have a small pool in which the bears will swim from time to time. The bear's food should also depend on the season and include those products that are available to the predator in natural conditions.

• A newborn bear cub weighs 400-500 grams, but by the time it reaches adulthood, this “baby” gains 1000 times its weight.
• Bear hunting was a favorite pastime of the medieval nobility, although it was also a very dangerous activity, because even after receiving a point-blank shot from a modern Kalashnikov assault rifle, the bear could nevertheless kill the hunter. In the Middle Ages, a spear was often used against bears - a long and heavy spear that made it possible to keep a clubfoot at a safe distance from the hunter.
• Bears, despite their wild nature, can be trained, as evidenced by modern performances of bears in circuses and medieval performances of the so-called “learned bears.”

Bear, video

And finally interesting documentary about brown bears.

According to popular belief, polar bears and penguins live where there is a lot of snow and ice. This is true, but although these species prefer extreme conditions, they do not live in the natural environment in one territory. Polar bears like the Arctic, and penguins liked Antarctica. Let's take a closer look at where polar bears and penguins live.

Polar bears - habitat and habits

In their natural environment, polar bears live in the polar regions north pole. These animals are well adapted to life in the harsh north with extreme low temperatures. Thanks to impressive reserves of subcutaneous fat and thick fur, polar bears feel comfortable both on land and in ice water. Such a habitat does not prevent large predators from leading a full-fledged lifestyle.

Polar bears live naturally in several countries, including Russia, Greenland, Canada, Alaska and Norway. Large predators do not have a tendency to migrate; they live in a specific area, preferring areas with open water, since fish is the polar bear’s favorite food.

In the summer, due to rising temperatures, polar bears disperse. Some animals are even found at the North Pole. Today, the number of these animals is small compared to previous years, but not critical, so it is too early to talk about the disappearance of the species from the face of the planet.

The polar bear is a large terrestrial predator. In nature, males weighing up to 800 kg are often found. The average weight of a male is 450 kg. Females weigh half as much, but before wintering or during pregnancy they significantly increase their body weight. The brown bear is considered the closest relative of the white bear, so crossing these species usually ends in success.

Peculiarities of seasonal behavior of polar bears

It is striking that polar bears do not have a hibernation period. They remain active throughout the year. As cold weather approaches, animals actively gain subcutaneous fat.

Polar bears get their name from the shade of their fur. In winter, animals use fur for camouflage. The intelligence of polar bears deserves special attention. While waiting for prey, these massive predators cover their nose, which is the only dark spot, with their paw. In summer, the polar bear's fur takes on a straw-colored hue. This is due to ultraviolet rays.

I note that the polar bear has a multi-level “robe”. The black skin, which perfectly absorbs the sun's heat, is covered with a fluffy undercoat. The animal also has long protective hairs. They are transparent and characterized by excellent thermal conductivity.

Polar bears unusually hardy. Despite their decent body weight, animals move quickly, taking advantage of leaping running. Often, in pursuit of prey, the predator overcomes up to 500 meters.

The polar bear also feels great in the water. Without a break, he swims up to 1 km. This animal is also an excellent diver. For five minutes he calmly engages in spearfishing.

The polar bear's diet includes fish, sea and land animals. Sometimes seals also end up on the predator’s table. Thanks to a decent supply of fat, it goes without food for a long time, but if luck smiles, it eats up to 20 kg of meat at a time.

Polar bears don't drink. They obtain the liquid they need for a full-fledged existence from food of animal origin. I note that due to the cold climate they do not sweat profusely. So they practically do not lose moisture.

Penguins - habitat and habits

Penguins are funny birds. They have wings, but they don't fly. They are clumsy on land, but extremely graceful in water. Many people are of the opinion that they live only in Antarctica. This is wrong. This part of the planet is inhabited by only 3 species; the remaining species like warmer climes.

With the exception of the breeding season and feeding of offspring, penguins stay in the open sea of ​​the Southern Hemisphere. The bulk of birds are concentrated in Antarctica and on the territory of nearby islands. In tropical latitudes, they appear in places with cold currents. The Galapagos Islands, which are located near the equator, are considered the northernmost habitat of penguins.

Where are penguins found?

• Antarctica. A continent with a harsh climate, eternal ice and the temperature became extremely low ideal place for the life activity of the Antarctic and Emperor penguins, as well as the appearance of Adele. From early spring to mid-autumn they live in the ocean, after which they return to land, unite in colonies, build nests, reproduce and feed their offspring.
• Africa. The hot African coast, washed by the cold Benguela Current, is favored by spectacled penguins. This species is incredibly sociable. It is not surprising that many tourists come to the Cape of Good Hope every year for an unforgettable experience with birds.
• Australia. The Australian or blue penguin lives here. It differs from other species in its modest weight and small height - 1 kg and 35 cm, respectively. Largest quantity Representatives of the smallest species are concentrated on Phillip Island. Travelers visit this place to admire the Penguin Parade. The small birds gather in small groups at the water's edge and then sway to their burrows in the sandhills.
• Argentina. The Orkney and Shetland Islands are home to King penguins, which grow up to a meter in height. The authorities of Latin America protect these birds in every possible way, which contributes to an increase in the population.
• New Zealand . Magnificent penguins, the rarest species, live on these islands. Their distinctive feature– accommodation for couples. They are not going to the colony. Due to the small number of individuals, the species is protected.
• South Atlantic . Golden-haired penguins are found on the coast of Chile, the Falkland Islands and Tierra del Fuego. Their huge colonies attract tourists with the amazing singing of males, which attract females so much.
• Peru. The Peruvian coast, along which a cold current runs, is the home of Humboldt penguins. For various reasons, their numbers decrease annually, with a total of 12 thousand pairs.

As you can see, there are a considerable number of species of penguins, each of which lives in its own amazing corner. These birds are unique, and humanity simply must ensure that they continue to delight us with their unique appearance and other individual characteristics.

Peculiarities of seasonal behavior of penguins

The way of life of penguins is extremely unusual. It is not surprising, since these flightless birds use their wings as fins, and all parents take part in raising and feeding their offspring.

In penguins, the courtship period ends with the birth of offspring. The result of the joint efforts of a married couple is an egg. It needs protection from snow, otherwise, under the influence of low temperatures, the offspring will die at the initial stage.

The female carefully places the egg on the male's paws and goes in search of food. Having received the egg, the male envelops the unborn baby with an abdominal fold. He will have to warm the egg for 2 months. Often, in order to preserve offspring, the male resorts to the help of other members of the fraternity.

After the baby appears, the male feeds it with milk, the production of which is responsible for the bird’s stomach and esophagus. Penguin milk is an incredibly nutritious liquid containing 10 times more fat and protein than cow's milk.

While the father takes care of the child, the female catches squid and fish. The penguin's tongue is covered with "spines" turned towards the pharynx. If the prey gets into the beak, it will not be possible to escape.

Penguins hunt in flocks. The females, gathered in a large group, dive into the water and, opening their mouths wide, fly at speed into a school of fish. After such a maneuver, a tasty morsel is sure to end up in the mouth.

Upon returning, the female, which has gained weight, fattens the hungry family members. In your stomach caring mother brings up to 4 kg of half-digested food. The little penguin is transferred to its mother's paws and eats the delicacies brought for several weeks.

Video material

Where do polar bears and penguins live in captivity?

Every person who has visited the zoo has probably seen a polar bear. Spacious pens are equipped for these animals, where conditions are created that best match the natural environment. We are talking about simulating a cold climate, creating ponds with ice water and snow shelters.

In animals living in captivity, the fur sometimes takes on a green tint. This is because under the influence of high temperatures, fur becomes an ideal breeding ground for algae.

In Central Europe, penguins are found exclusively in zoos. Administrators of some establishments organize “penguin marches” for visitors. Under the supervision of zoo workers, the birds leave the enclosure for a walk. The organization of such events is carried out by the zoos of Edinburgh, Munich and other large European cities.

Penguins living in captivity often encounter fungal infections that affect the respiratory tract. Therefore, for preventive purposes, birds are kept behind glass partitions in the summer.

Summarize. During today's investigation, we found that polar bears and penguins, contrary to popular belief, do not meet in the same territory. By the whim of nature, they were scattered to different parts of the planet. I think this is for the best, because polar bears, due to their hunting nature, would not allow penguins to exist in peace. These birds have enough life problems and enemies even without bears. Remember this if you plan to take the Unified State Exam in biology. See you!

The brown (ordinary) bear represents the bear family and is considered predatory mammals. In addition, the bear is one of the largest and dangerous predators living on planet Earth. Scientists have identified about 20 subspecies of brown bear, which differ in both appearance and habitat.

The body of a brown bear is characterized as well-developed and strong, which is typical of all representatives of this family.

The external appearance of a brown bear is characterized by such features as high withers, a massive head, and small ears and eyes. The tail is not particularly long and ranges from 6.5 to 21 centimeters. The paws are also massive and strong, armed with powerful, non-retractable claws. The feet are five-toed and relatively wide.

Animal sizes

Brown bears living in the European part of our territory grow up to one and a half to two meters in height, with an average weight of about 200 kg. Mammals living in the middle zone are 2 times smaller in size than individuals living in the European part. Far Eastern bears, as well as grizzly bears, are among the largest representatives of this family and grow up to 3 meters in size.

Brown bears are characterized by a rather variable color, which depends on a number of natural factors. Although brown is considered the classic shade, fur color can range from light fawn to bluish-black.

Interesting fact! It is not difficult to distinguish a grizzly bear from its other relatives, since hairs with white ends grow on its back, which is somewhat reminiscent of gray hair. These are the representatives of the family that live in the Himalayas, but the representatives inhabiting Syria are distinguished by a reddish-brown tint.

Lifespan

In the natural environment, brown bears live no more than thirty years, although some individuals do not live up to half of this term. IN artificial conditions Brown bears live much longer, living up to 50 years or even older.

Types of brown bear with photos

The brown bear species consists of several subspecies, which are characterized by geographical distribution patterns, which form unique geographical races. Moreover, the subspecies differ in both color and size.

You should pay attention to the following subspecies:

• European brown bear. The following maximum indicators are considered characteristic of this subspecies: body length about 2 and a half meters, tail length about 15 cm, height at the withers about 110 cm, body weight up to 300 kg. It is considered a rather massive subspecies with strong body, and a pronounced hump at the withers. Depending on the habitat, the coat color can range from light grayish-yellow to dark blackish-brown. The body is covered with fairly long and thick fur.
• Caucasian brown bear differs in slightly smaller dimensions, since the maximum body length is slightly more than 2 meters, with a weight of no more than 240 kg. It differs from the European subspecies in having a less bright coat color, while its coat is short and coarse. The color of the coat varies from pale straw to a uniform gray-brown. In the area of ​​the withers you can see a characteristic large dark spot.
• East Siberian brown bear. It is distinguished by a large skull and weighs almost 350 kilograms. The body is covered with soft long fur, which has a characteristic shine. The coat can be colored in tones from light brown to dark brown. At the same time, there are individuals whose color includes clearly visible inclusions of yellowish or black tones.
• Ussuri or Amur brown bear. In the vastness of our country, this subspecies is also called the black grizzly. Adult males are very impressive in size, reaching a weight of almost half a ton. This subspecies is characterized by the presence of a large, physically developed skull with an elongated nasal region. The fur is almost black. The subspecies is distinguished by the presence of long hair on the ears.

One of the largest subspecies is the Far Eastern or Kamchatka brown bear, whose body weight exceeds 500 kilograms. Adult individuals are characterized by a large, massive skull, the front part of which is relatively wide and, as it were, raised upward. The body is covered with long, dense and soft fur, which is pale yellow, blackish-brown or completely black in color.

If we talk about the natural habitats of brown bears in our time, there is no clear answer to this question, since there are significant changes due to the human factor.

Until recently, the habitat of these predators extended from the borders of Great Britain to the Japanese Islands, including from Alaska to the central regions of Mexico.

Nowadays, when brown bears are actively exterminated and evicted from the regions they inhabit, the largest populations are observed in the western regions of Canada, as well as in Alaska. In our country, brown bears are found in vast forest areas that are still untouched.

The predator displays its main activity in the morning and evening twilight. In this case, the animal orients itself in space due to its fine hearing and sense of smell. If we talk about the animal’s vision, it is weak. Despite their impressive size and weight, bears move easily and almost silently, thanks to fast and fairly confident movements.

Interesting to know! Bears are capable of running at speeds of up to 60 km/h. They are also excellent swimmers, but have difficulty moving in deep snow.

Brown bears lead a sedentary lifestyle, but young individuals migrate long distances in search of sexual partners. Each individual knows the boundaries of its territory, as it marks and protects it from encroachment by outsiders. When it’s comfortable and warm outside, animals choose resting places for themselves, sitting on the ground among tall grass or in dense bushes. When cold weather begins to set in, adults are busy looking for places to winter.

It is believed that brown bears, although they are predators, are omnivores. At the same time, the basis of the diet is food objects plant origin. Therefore, they feed on everything they can find on their territory: berries, nuts, acorns, roots, tubers, as well as stems of various plants. In addition, bears eat insects in the form of ants, worms, lizards, frogs, field and forest rodents.

Adults are capable of attacking juvenile artiodactyls, such as roe deer, fallow deer, deer, wild boar, moose, etc. Bears have well-developed limbs, so with one blow they can break the spine of their potential prey. After this, the predator hides the carcass in branches and leaves, after which it guards it until it is completely eaten. Bears often go to the banks of rivers, seas and oceans, where they hunt fish, seals, seals, etc.

Larger individuals are able to take prey from weaker members of their family.

It is important to know! Brown bears, regardless of age, have excellent memory, so they remember berry or mushroom areas. At the same time, they unmistakably find their way to these places.

The Far Eastern brown bear feeds on salmon going to spawn. During this period, bears actively feed, stocking up on nutrients. When the year turns out to be a lean year and a poor food supply, bears attack domestic animals or domestic animals.

Somewhere in the month of May, brown bears begin mating season which can last up to two months. During this period, males enter into fights for the right to fertilize a female. In this case, females can mate with several males, regardless of the outcome of the fights. Pregnancy is characterized by the fact that the development of the embryo occurs only during the period of hibernation of bears. Cubs appear after 6-8 months. They are born absolutely helpless, deaf and covered with sparse hairs. The female gives birth to 2 to 3 babies, whose length is about 25 cm and weighs about 500 grams.

Interesting fact! While in the den, the cubs feed on milk. This lasts for 3 months, after which the juveniles begin to develop milk teeth. Starting from this period, the cubs independently find food for themselves, in the form of insects, berries and vegetation. Despite this, they continue to feed on the female’s milk for another 1.5 years, or even more.

After the birth of the next offspring, which is possible once every 3 years, the babies are also cared for by the nurse daughter who appeared in the previous litter. Young bears stay near the female for 3 years until they reach puberty.

Brown bears, although they hibernate during the winter, are not so active if we compare this process that occurs with other mammals. The hibernation period of a brown bear is characterized by the fact that its body temperature, breathing intensity and heart rate are almost at the same level as before hibernation. In the first days he practically does not sleep, but only dozes.

Despite this half-hibernating state, the bear listens sensitively to all sounds. In case of danger, he is ready to immediately leave the den. When the winter is warm and there is little snow, some individuals do not sleep in winter, since they can easily find food. When severe cold occurs, predators hibernate, and this period can last no more than a month. During this period the animal eats subcutaneous fat, which the bear managed to accumulate before the onset of cold weather, although this is not always possible.

Preparatory period before bed

For winter sleep, bears choose deaf, dry places, within windbreaks or under the roots of fallen trees. Adults, with the help of powerful paws, dig deep and voluminous holes for themselves. In addition, they can occupy caves and crevices in rocks. Pregnant females try to dig a shelter with the future offspring in mind. After this, the den is covered from the inside with moss, spruce branches and fallen leaves.

Important point! Once born, cubs always spend the winter in a den with the female. Bear cubs that have entered their second year of life can also spend the winter in this company.

All solitary individuals spend the winter alone, although on the territory of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands there are bears that spend the winter in the company of several of their relatives.

Brown bears, depending on weather conditions and a number of other factors, can stay in a den for up to six months. As a rule, the bear lies down in a den after feeding on the required amount of nutrients. This process is also influenced by other factors, including the physiological state of the animals.

It is important to know! An old animal that has managed to stock up on all the necessary nutrients goes into hibernation much earlier, even before the first snow falls. Young individuals that have not had time to fatten can lie down in a den at the end of autumn or at the beginning of winter.

In this regard, the hibernation process can drag on for several weeks or months. First of all, pregnant females go to the den, and last of all, old, weakened males. A brown bear can winter in the same den for several seasons if it is not occupied by a stronger individual.

Bears that for some reason were unable to stock up on fat for the winter do not hibernate and are therefore called “connecting rods.” This is due to the fact that the animal wanders around the surrounding area all winter in search of food. It is easy to distinguish him from other bears by his uncertain, shaky gait and tattered, exhausted appearance.

Interesting fact! Having met a dangerous opponent, a brown bear stands on its hind legs and lets out a loud roar. In a duel, he uses his front paws to knock down his opponent.

Often, in search of food, bears appear in places where people live. Connecting bears are quite common in northern regions where harsh winters prevail. This phenomenon can be widespread, especially in lean years, with a frequency of once every 10 years. It is often necessary to shoot such animals because they pose a certain threat to humans. Since they are hungry, they can attack humans.

Brown bears have no important commercial significance, but are the object of sport hunting and poaching. This is due to the fact that bear skins are used as floor coverings, and the meat is considered a delicacy, so it is bought by restaurants to prepare expensive dishes.

The fat of bears, as well as bile, has medicinal properties. Today, according to experts, there are no more than 200 thousand individuals on the entire earth. This fact was the reason that bears were included in the Red Book and assigned the status of “endangered”.

Finally

Man is so thoughtless about animals living in natural conditions that the time is not far off when all living organisms on Earth, including brown bears, will disappear. Human life is associated with the extraction of mineral resources, deforestation, etc., which is associated with the expansion of territories and the introduction of animals into the living space. Humans are actively displacing animals from their natural habitats, which leads to the death of individual individuals who were unable to find food for themselves. As a result, the number of these animals decreases, which leads them to the point of no return.