osos

Osos, or bears, are large mammals in the family Ursidae, within the order Carnivora. There are eight living species: polar bear (Ursus maritimus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), American black bear (Ursus americanus), Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus), spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), and the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). They inhabit forests, mountains, tundra and, in some regions, deserts, with distributions spanning North America, Europe, and Asia; the giant panda is largely confined to China's bamboo forests. Physical variation is wide, from the small spectacled bear to the large Kodiak brown bear.

Most bears are omnivores, with diets ranging from berries, nuts, and roots to insects, fish and small mammals. Polar bears rely heavily on marine mammals and are most carnivorous; the giant panda feeds mainly on bamboo. Many species den during winter or periods of scarce food, and they can travel long distances in search of food or mates.

Females typically give birth to one to three cubs, which stay with the mother for up to two or three years. Bears have long lifespans for mammals of their size, often living 20-30 years in the wild.

Conservation status varies by species. While some, such as the American black bear and some brown bear populations, are of Least Concern, others, including polar bears, Asian black bears, and several tropical species, face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and conflict with humans. Protected areas and conservation programs are active in many regions.