Pygmy Bear

Pygmy Bear

*Ursus Arctos Pumilus*

Animal, Mammal, Caniform

### Diet

Omnivorous (A wide range; lizards, arthropods, small mammals, eggs, fruit, fungi, roots, et cetera)

### Behaviour

* Peaceful
* Nomadic
* Communal
* Competitive
* Tameable

### Physical Characteristics

* Average Height: 50 centimetres

* Largest Recorded Height: 60 centimetres

* Average Length: 70 centimetres

* Largest Recorded Length: 1 metre

* Average Life Expectancy: 30 years

* Longest Recorded Lifespan: 35 years

## Description

The Pygmy Bear, also known variously as the Miniature Bear and the "Little Fluffs" by the locals, is a remarkably small species of brown bear endemic to Thewyn Forest and the surrounding woodland. Its small size, which is little larger than the cubs of other subspecies of brown bear, is thought by scholars to be an adaptation to the thick, dense carpet of trees and other plants which makes up Thewyn Forest, a place where the large size of typical brown bears would be a hindrance. Pygmy Bears are also adapted to climb up the trees and into the canopy, a behaviour useful for evading predators, getting at fruits and raiding bird nests, a lifestyle only made possible by their very small size.

The Pygmy Bear's classification as part of the species *Ursus Arctos* has always been heavily contested, and many scholars argue it should instead be classified as *Ursus Pumilus*. Interbreeding between the Pygmy Bear and other brown bear species, while not tried, is assumed to be impossible, due to the size difference if nothing else. Pygmy Bears also do not hibernate, unlike every other brown bear subspecies. However, supporters of the bear's classification as a subspecies rather than its own species note that, in all areas except size, Pygmy Bears are identical to other subspecies of brown bear.

Some scholars argue that Pygmy Bears, rather than having simply shrunk in size, underwent some degree of neoteny. Indeed, at first glance, it is easy to mistake a mature Pygmy Bear for a brown bear cub, not only because of the size but because of the generally juvenile features of mature Pygmy Bears. Mature Pygmy Bears also exhibit more juvenile behaviours compared to mature brown bears of other subspecies; they are more inquisitive and playful and less aggressive than their larger cousins.

## As Food

Pygmy Bears taste the same as other bears - that is, somewhat similar to a cross between venison and wild boar. Pygmy Bear meat is less dense than the meat of other bears, but otherwise has a similar texture.

Pygmy Bears are generally not eaten for the same reason that dogs and cats are rarely eaten; people generally have a strong aversion to eating animals considered cute or friendly, as well as those which are kept as pets, and Pygmy Bears fit all three of these criteria.

## Conservation

The wild population of Pygmy Bears is stable, healthy and not at risk, because of the fact that they are inhabitants of Thewyn Forest, and therefore fall under the protection of the Theysmarel. Famously, the Theysmarel do not allow foreigners to hunt the forest-dwellers without permission, and they are fully prepared to uphold this commitment with deadly force.