Tremarctos

Tremarctos is a genus of bears in the subfamily Tremarctinae, commonly known as the short-faced bears. The genus includes the living spectacled bear, Tremarctos ornatus, and several extinct species known from fossil remains in North and South America. Members of Tremarctos are characterized by a relatively short snout and robust skull and jaws, features that distinguish them from other bear lineages.

Taxonomy and fossil record

Tremarctos forms part of the Americas’ bear diversity that expanded during the Miocene and continued into the Pleistocene. The living species, Tremarctos ornatus, inhabits Andean and adjacent forests from Venezuela to northern Argentina, with a preference for rugged, montane habitats. The Florida spectacled bear, Tremarctos floridanus, is an extinct North American form known from Pleistocene deposits in Florida. Other fossil Tremarctos species are known from various Pleistocene sites in South America, illustrating a once broader distribution across the western hemisphere.

Ecology and behavior

Spectacled bears are omnivorous, with diets ranging from fruits and plant matter to cactus fruits and tubers, complemented by small animals when available. They are generally solitary and territorial, capable climbers that use trees for refuge and foraging.

Conservation

Tremarctos ornatus is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Major threats include habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation measures focus on habitat protection, connectivity between forest patches, and community-based management to reduce human impacts.