Bear Facts

Gripping facts about bears — the powerful mammals that have fascinated humans for millennia.

Bears are among the most ecologically significant large mammals on Earth, occupying apex or near-apex predator roles in ecosystems across North America, Europe, and Asia. The eight living bear species — from the polar bear to the sun bear — occupy a remarkable range of habitats, from Arctic sea ice to tropical rainforest. Bear biology produces several counter-intuitive verified facts: hibernating bears can lose up to 30% of their body weight without eating or drinking, their metabolism slowing to roughly 25% of its normal rate. Despite their reputation, most bears are largely omnivorous, with plant matter making up the majority of their diet for most of the year.