Ursidae

Ursidae is the bear family, a group of large, mostly omnivorous mammals in the order Carnivora. It comprises eight extant species assigned to five genera: Ailuropoda (giant panda), Helarctos (sun bear), Melursus (sloth bear), Tremarctos (spectacled bear), and Ursus (the remaining bears). The species are: Ailuropoda melanoleuca; Helarctos malayanus; Melursus ursinus; Tremarctos ornatus; Ursus arctos; Ursus maritimus; Ursus americanus; Ursus thibetanus.

They inhabit a range of habitats across the northern hemisphere and parts of South America: polar bears in Arctic regions; brown bears across North America, Europe, and Asia; American and Asian black bears in North America and Asia; the giant panda in Chinese mountain forests; the spectacled bear in Andean cloud forests; the sloth bear in the Indian subcontinent; the sun bear in Southeast Asia.

Most species are solitary; diets vary from carnivorous to omnivorous to herbivorous. Polar bears primarily prey on seals; pandas rely on bamboo; other bears eat berries, insects, carrion, small mammals. They have dense fur and fat for insulation; some hibernate in winter (brown and black bears) while polar bears may fast for months; cubs remain with mothers for up to two years.

Threats include habitat loss, hunting, and climate change, affecting many populations. Several Ursidae species are listed by the IUCN as threatened or near-threatened; conservation programs and protected areas have helped some populations, while others remain vulnerable.