Bears (Family: Ursidae) - Wiki From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia [Photo] A Syrian Brown Bear (Ursus arctos syriacus)
in the biblical zoo in Jerusalem. Date 13 June 2006. Photo by
Amoruso Bears (family Ursidae) are large mammals in the order
Carnivora. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike
carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living
relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear,
they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats
throughout the Northern Hemisphere and partially in the Southern
Hemisphere. Common characteristics of modern bears include a
large body with stocky legs, a long snout, shaggy hair, paws
with five nonretractile claws, and a short tail. While the polar
bear is mostly carnivorous and the giant panda feeds almost
entirely on bamboo, the remaining six species are omnivorous,
with largely varied diets including both plants and animals.
With the exceptions of courting individuals and mothers with
their young, bears are typically solitary