Protarctos

The **American honey bear** (*Protarctos apivora*) is a species of ursine bear that originally lived in North America during the Pliocene as an extinct species, *Protarctos abstrusus*, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America, primarily in temperate and boreal regions, to help boost biodiversity. The American honey bear is about the same size as an Asiatic black bear, with adults measuring 70–100 centimeters (28–39 inches) at the shoulder, 120–190 centimeters (47–75 inches) in length, and the adult males weigh 60–200 kilograms (130–440 lbs) with an average weight of about 135 kilograms (298 lbs), while adult females weigh 40–125 kilograms (88–276 lbs), and large ones up to 140 kilograms (310 lbs). The American honey bear has black fur, a deep brown muzzle, brown inner ears, and a distinct brown patch on the chest, which is sometimes V-shaped. Its ears are bell shaped, proportionately longer than those of many other bears, and stick out sideways from the head. Its tail is short, around 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) long. American honey bears are diurnal, though they may become nocturnal near human habitations. They may live in family groups consisting of two adults and two successive litters of young. They will walk in a procession of largest to smallest. They are good climbers of rocks and trees, and will climb to feed, rest, sun, elude enemies and hibernate. Some older American honey bears may become too heavy to climb. Half of their life is spent in trees and they are among the largest arboreal mammals. American honey bears break branches and twigs to place under themselves when feeding on trees, thus causing many trees in their home ranges to have nest-like structures on their tops. American honey bears will rest for short periods in nests on trees standing fifteen feet or higher. American honey bears are omnivorous, and will feed on insects, beetle larvae, invertebrates, termites, grubs, carrion, bees, eggs, garbage, mushrooms, grasses, fruits, nuts, seeds, honey, herbs, acorns, cherries, dogwood, and grain. The American honey bear is herbivorous to a greater degree than brown bears, and more carnivorous than American black bears. Like American black bears, the American honey bears are considered highly efficient hibernators in the colder parts of their range, remaining dormant for months without eating, drinking, urinating or defecating. Sows usually produce their first litter at the age of 3 to 5 years, with those living in more developed areas tending to get pregnant at younger ages. The breeding period usually occurs in the June–July period, though it can extend to August in the species' northern range. The breeding period lasts for two to three months. Both sexes are promiscuous. Males try to mate with several females, but large, dominant ones may violently claim a female if another mature male comes near. The gestation period lasts 235 days and litters are usually born in late January to early February. Litter size is between one and six cubs, typically two or three. At birth, cubs weigh 280–450 grams (0.62–0.99 lbs) and measure 20.5 centimeters (8.1 inches) in length. They are born with fine, gray, down-like hair and their hind quarters are underdeveloped. They typically open their eyes after 28–40 days and begin walking after 5 weeks. Cubs are dependent on their mother's milk for 30 weeks and will reach independence at 16–18 months. At the age of 6 weeks, they attain 800 grams (1.7 lbs), by the age of 8 weeks they reach 2.2 kilograms (4.8 lbs) and by the age of 6 months they weigh 15 to 22 kilograms (33 to 48 lbs). They reach sexual maturity at the age of 3 years and attain their full growth at the age of 5 years. The average lifespan of the American honey bears in the wild is 18 years, though it is quite possible for wild individuals to survive for more than 23 years. The record age of a wild individual was 39 years, while that in captivity was 44 years. The conservation status of the American honey bear is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts and the American honey bear's wide range.