Spectacled Bear

## About

A spectacled bear.

The spectacled bear ***(Tremarctos ornatus)*** is the only species of bear native to South America and is one of the heaviest mammals native to the continent. The genus in which spectacled bears belong to, Tremarctos, is completely extinct, with the only remaining member being the spectacled bear. This also makes the spectacled bear the last representative of the prehistoric short-faced bears. Spectacled bears are often thought to be a subspecies of black bear, due to their black or reddish brown coats however, they are completely separate from them and are closer to extinct short-faced bears which roamed the Americas during the Ice Age. Spectacled bears are named after the yellowish-brown or tan rings that frame their eyes. The spectacle patterning varies by individuals and some do not have clear rings, rather having mottled lighter patterning around their eyes, neck and chest. The yellow colouring transitions to a greyish-brown colour on their muzzle. Similarly to other bears, the claws of the Spectacled bear are non-retractile and remain exposed in all activities including; walking and climbing. In what is known as a plantigrade stance, the spectacled bear walks on the soles of its feet. The front limbs are slightly shorter than its hind limbs, giving the animal the characteristic hobbling bear walk. This method of movement may appear clunky or inefficient however, it typically provides bear species a wider range of arboreal movement, in which the spectacled bear specialises in. The spectacled bear also possesses the strongest zygomatico mandibular muscle of any bear, which works with the blunt lophs of the cheek teeth, to allow the bear to have an almost entirely herbivorous diet. Spectacled bears are medium-sized bears that can measure up to 1.3-2m (4.27-6.56ft) and weigh 60-200kg (132.16-440.53lbs).

## Diet

Aside from the giant panda ***(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)***, spectacled bears are the most herbivorous bear species and eat many species of plant and fruit species native to South America. In particular spectacled bears enjoy fruits and especially bromeliad plants ***(Bromeliaceae)***. Spectacled bears also consume a variety of other plant species such as mosses, cacti, orchid and bamboo species, palms, tree wood/ bark and honey. This diet would qualify spectacled bears as a herbivorous bear species however, the bears also hunt invertebrates/ insects, small mammals and birds.

## Conservation Status

Due to the long history of human settlement in the tropical Andes, 90% of the Spectacled bear's Andean range has been severely degraded. Loss of natural ecosystems in the area can be attributed to the continued agricultural development and mining and oil exploitation, which is becoming more and more common in the tropical Andes region. The mining and oil exploitation is extremely damaging to not only the bears but the surrounding environment and local communities. Often water and soil is greatly contaminated by these operations. The conversion of land for cocoa crops combined with the drug trade have adopted a lawless system of illegal operations which threaten the spectacled bears. Guerilla groups who inhabit the tropical Andes also cause hunting threats to the bears, even though such actions are prohibited. According to the IUCN, an average of 180 spectacled bears are killed annually and it can be hypothesised that the true unregulated number is far greater and may be increasing. It has been estimated that 36% of the spectacled bear's range in Cordillera de Merida, Venezuela, has been caught in an ''ecological trap'', due to the abundance of harmful human activity in the region. Due to the likely underestimated number of annual bear deaths, it is unclear how the absence of spectacled bears impacts its range and predator dynamics. It is believed that the combination of these threats could cause the species to become extinct in its mountainous range within the following decades. Climate change has also provided an immanent threat to the bears, with the tropical Andes being likely one of the most vulnerable regions to drastic temperature shifts in the environment. It is very likely that much of the spectacled bear's range will see a reduction in size due to factors presented by climate change. Areas such as tropical grassland are said to be likely the most effected of the bear's range, as lack of upslope areas do not permit migration to cooler altitudes. These threats have also led to the spectacled bear being considered a vulnerable species by the IUCN.

## Range and Population

Spectacled bears are the only bear species endemic to South America and they inhabit the mountainous tropical regions of the Andes mountains, ranging from elevations of 200-4,750m (656.168-15583.99ft). Spectacled bears inhabit an extremely wide variety of biomes due to their expansive range, including: tropical grasslands, mountainous alpine regions, lowland forests, dry grasslands/ shrublands, rainforests and cloud forests. As their range follows the Andes, spectacled bears can be found in many Northern and Western South American countries such as; Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina. The spectacled bear has a population of 2,500-10,000 mature individuals and due to conservation issues, the species' population is still regarded as being in a declining state.

## Behaviour

Spectacled bears are solitary animals however, they have been known to congregate where food is abundant. It has been greatly debated whether the spectacled bear is a diurnal, crepuscular or nocturnal animal however, they have mostly been regarded as nocturnal. Unlike bear species that can be found in North America, the spectacled bear shows no evidence of hibernation however, similarly to other bears, the spectacled bear is mostly arboreal, being great climbers, they spend the majority of their time in canopies. Uniquely the spectacled bear commonly builds tree platforms or 'nests' in trees, where they use in order to browse the trees for fruit or sleep in. This demonstrates high intelligence and environmental awareness. Breeding season takes place from April-June for the species, afterwards pairs will stay united for 1-2 weeks however, will not demonstrate monogamy. Copulating occurs commonly throughout this time period. Mating pairs have been sighted together through March and October, aligning with the fruit ripening. This means that, like captive bears, spectacled bears are likely adapted to breeding at various times of the year. Being monestrous, spectacled bears are likely capable of delayed implantation. This attribute would explain the varied gestation period observed in captive individuals, -ranging from 160-150 days- and the ''out of season'' births of wild individuals. 1-4 cubs are eventually born to the mother a couple months before the fruit season begins. This early birth allows cubs to be weaned before sufficient amounts of fruit ripen. Cubs will be accompanied by their mother for up to 1 year before independence and they will rely completely on their mother for the first 30 days of their life, as they are born blind. There is no paternal involvement in the rearing of the cubs and adult male spectacled bears may have the tendency to eat the cubs that they encounter. Further information of the behavioural and breeding characteristics of the spectacled bear is unknown, due to lack of published studies on the topic.

### Relationship with Humans

Spectacled bears have a complicated relationship with humans and they are often the focus of human-wildlife conflict in their range. Housing developments are one of the most common ways humans interact with bears, as much of these lands include vast expanses of agriculture. Often, spectacled bears will break into farmlands in order to feed on crops, particularly maize (corn) however, it is also often argued that the bears will also prey on livestock, or at the very least feed on the carcasses of deceased livestock. This has lead to human-wildlife conflict, as bears are often shot at or killed in retaliation for consuming maize and threatening livestock. Due to the urbanisation occurring in the tropical Andes combined with climate threats, spectacled bears are becoming much closer to human settlements, which may be catastrophic for the species' already uncertain future.

## In Captivity

Spectacled bears are favoured in captivity for their conservational value and can be found in zoos worldwide. Some of the more popular zoos that house spectacled bears include, the San Diego Zoo, USA, the Berlin Zoo, Germany, Belfast Zoo, UK and Lyon Zoo, France.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22066/123792952
* Spectacled Bear | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectacled\_bear
* Spectacled Bear | Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Tremarctos\_ornatus/
* Andean Bear | Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute - https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/andean-bear
* Spectacled Bear | Animal Corner - https://animalcorner.org/animals/spectacled-bear/
* Andean (Spectacled) Bear | San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/andean-spectacled-bear
* Spectacled Bear | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/spectacled-bear-1623/