Spectacled Bear Trivia

Spectacled bear cubs are born with the spectacle facial markings.

True

Spectacled bear cubs are born with the spectacle facial markings.

False

To what continent is the spectacled bear endemic

South America

The spectacled bear is native to South America.

Asia

North America

Europe

Spectacled bears may feed on the crops and livestock of farmers.

True

In areas where farming and cattle-raising have intruded into former Andean bear habitat, reducing the bears’ natural sources of food, the spectacled bears have been known to raid farmers’ crops, especially those of maize and cultivated corn.

False

Adult spectacled bears have no predators.

True

There are no reported predators on adult spectacled bears.

False

How long do spectacled bear cubs stay with their mothers?

1 Year

They stay with their mother for up to a year after birth.

3 Months

2 Years

6 Months

What is the average lifespan of the spectacled bear in the wild?

20 Years

Not much is known about the average lifespan of a wild spectacled bear, but it is believed to be around 20 years.

5 Years

10 Years

30 Years

There is sexual dimorphism in the body size of the spectacled bear.

True, males are larger.

Male spectacled bears are up to 50% larger than females and are sometimes twice their weight.

True, females are larger.

False.

What is the parental investment of the spectacled bear?

Maternal

There is no known paternal involvement in the rearing of spectacled bear cubs and adult males may eat any cubs they come into contact with.

Maternal & Paternal

None

Paternal

There are no verified accounts of fatal spectacled bear-human confrontations.

True

There are no verified accounts of fatal bear-human confrontations, at least none in which the person did not survive, as Andean bear attacks are virtually unheard of.

False

Spectacled bears hibernate.

False

The spectacled bear does not hibernate, but there is disagreement over its activity pattern.

True

How many cubs are in an average spectacled bear litter?

1-4

In the wild, one to four cubs are born to a single female. In captivity, a female gives birth to two cubs on average.

8-12

4-8

12-16

Relative to body size, spectacled bears have the largest zygomaticomandibularis muscle of all bears.

True

Relative to their body size, spectacled bears have the largest zygomaticomandibularis muscle of any bear species.

False

What percentage of spectacled bear habitat has been lost since 1990?

30%

30% of the Andean bear’s habitat has been lost since the 1990s.

90%

60%

10%

What habitats do spectacled bears inhabit?

Shrubland

Spectacled bears inhabit shrubland, grassland, and forest habitats.

Grassland

Spectacled bears inhabit shrubland, grassland, and forest habitats.

Forest

Spectacled bears inhabit shrubland, grassland, and forest habitats.

Rocky Areas

What is the mating system of the spectacled bear?

Polygynous

Much of the mating behavior of the spectacled bear remains unstudied, but they are believed to be polygynous.

Monogamous

Polyandrous

Polygynandrous

What is the spectacled bear’s gestation?

160-255 Days

The gestation times in captive bears is 160 to 255 days.

16-55 Days

55-160 Days

255-360 Days

What systems do spectacled bears inhabit?

Terrestrial

Spectacled bears are large, terrestrial animals, and are one of the few extant bear species that are habitually arboreal.

Arboreal

Spectacled bears are large, terrestrial animals, and are one of the few extant bear species that are habitually arboreal.

Aquatic

Fossorial

Spectacled bears are excellent climbers and spend a fair amount of time in trees.

True

Spectacled bears are excellent climbers and spend a fair amount of time in trees.

False

What parts of the spectacled bear are highly prized?

Meat

In some parts of the Andean bear’s range, the meat, skin, fat, and claws are highly prized and in demand locally.

Skin

In some parts of the Andean bear’s range, the meat, skin, fat, and claws are highly prized and in demand locally.

Fat

In some parts of the Andean bear’s range, the meat, skin, fat, and claws are highly prized and in demand locally.

Claws

In some parts of the Andean bear’s range, the meat, skin, fat, and claws are highly prized and in demand locally.

What feature originated the spectacled bear’s name?

Facial Markings

The common name, spectacled bear, comes from the white, cream, beige, pale yellow, ginger, or tan markings on the face that create rings around the eyes.

Elusive Behavior

Arboreal Lifestyle

Omnivorous Diet

No two spectacled bears have the same facial markings.

True

The lighter markings are highly variable, unique to each individual, and may be absent altogether.

False

The spectacled bear is the smallest of the bear species.

False

The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is the smallest of the bear species.

True

What is the spectacled bear’s diet?

Omnivorous

Like other bears, spectacled bears are omnivorous.

Carnivorous

Herbivorous

Unknown

Which sex of spectacled bear keeps larger home ranges?

Male

Male are reported to have a larger average home range than females.

Female

What do spectacled bears eat?

Carrion

Like other bears, spectacled bears will feed upon invertebrates, small mammals, rodents, birds, insects, fruit, and leaves. They will also readily scavenge from a carcass and feed upon carrion.

Meat

Like other bears, spectacled bears will feed upon invertebrates, small mammals, rodents, birds, insects, fruit, and leaves. They will also readily scavenge from a carcass and feed upon carrion.

Fruit

Like other bears, spectacled bears will feed upon invertebrates, small mammals, rodents, birds, insects, fruit, and leaves. They will also readily scavenge from a carcass and feed upon carrion.

Leaves

Like other bears, spectacled bears will feed upon invertebrates, small mammals, rodents, birds, insects, fruit, and leaves. They will also readily scavenge from a carcass and feed upon carrion.

What is the spectacled bear assessment on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species?

Vulnerable

The spectacled bear is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)’s Red List of Threatened Species since 1982 and has a high risk of going extinct in the next 30 years.

Least Concern

Near Threatened

Endangered

What is the spectacled bear’s form of locomotion?

Plantigrade

Like all bears, spectacled bears walk on the soles of their feet and are equipped with a plantigrade stance.

Digitigrade

Unguligrade

Other

Spectacled bears are one of how many bear species that are habitually arboreal?

4

Spectacled bears are one of four extant bear species that are habitually arboreal, alongside the American black bear (Ursus americanus), Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus), and the sun bear, (Helarctos malayanus).

6

2

8

What is the social system of the spectacled bear?

Solitary

Spectacled bears tend to be solitary animals and isolate themselves from one another in order to avoid competition.

Social

Solitary Males, Social Females

Social Males, Solitary Females

Spectacled bears are the largest terrestrial carnivore in South America.

True

Spectacled bears are the largest land carnivore in South America.

False

What are alternate names for the spectacled bear?

Andean Bear

The spectacled bear is known as the Andean bear or mountain bear because of its range in the Andes Mountains. It is also known as the short-faced bear because it has a relatively short, broad snout and more rounded face compared to other bear species.

Mountain Bear

The spectacled bear is known as the Andean bear or mountain bear because of its range in the Andes Mountains. It is also known as the short-faced bear because it has a relatively short, broad snout and more rounded face compared to other bear species.

Short-Faced Bear

The spectacled bear is known as the Andean bear or mountain bear because of its range in the Andes Mountains. It is also known as the short-faced bear because it has a relatively short, broad snout and more rounded face compared to other bear species.

Moon Bear

What is the spectacled bear’s scientific name?

Tremarctos ornatus

The spectacled bear’s scientific name is Tremarctos ornatus.

Ursus thibetanus

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Helarctos malayanus

What is the population trend of the spectacled bear?

Decreasing

As with many species, loss of habitat plays a major role in the population decline of spectacled bears.

Increasing

Stable

Unknown

What is the spectacled bear’s circadian rhythm?

Diurnal

There is some disagreement over the activity pattern of the spectacled bear. Some argue that they are strictly diurnal and crepuscular, whereas others have stated that they are nocturnal as well.

Nocturnal

There is some disagreement over the activity pattern of the spectacled bear. Some argue that they are strictly diurnal and crepuscular, whereas others have stated that they are nocturnal as well.

Cathemeral

Crepuscular

There is some disagreement over the activity pattern of the spectacled bear. Some argue that they are strictly diurnal and crepuscular, whereas others have stated that they are nocturnal as well.

When do spectacled bear cubs open their eyes?

1 Month

The cubs are born blind and their eyes do not open until 30 days, during which time they are completely dependent on their mother.

1 Day

1 Week

1 Hour

Spectacled bears are persecuted by farmers.

True

Spectacled bears can be persecuted by local farmers who blame them for killing cattle and for destroying maize crops.

False

When are spectacled bear cubs born?

September-February

Spectacled bear cubs are typically born several months before the fruit season begins between September and February.

March-August

December-May

June-November

What preys on spectacled bear cubs?

Pumas

Cubs may be preyed on by pumas (Puma concolor), jaguars (Panthera onca), and occasionally by adult male spectacled bears.

Jaguars

Cubs may be preyed on by pumas (Puma concolor), jaguars (Panthera onca), and occasionally by adult male spectacled bears.

Spectacled Bears

Cubs may be preyed on by pumas (Puma concolor), jaguars (Panthera onca), and occasionally by adult male spectacled bears.

Great Horned Owls

What is the average lifespan of the spectacled bear in captivity?

25 Years

The average lifespan of Andean bears in captivity is around 25 years.

10 Years

15 Years

35 Years

With the polar bear, the spectacled bear is the most sexually dimorphic modern bear.

True

The spectacled bear rivals the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) for the most sexually dimorphic modern bear.

False

When does the spectacled bear reach sexual maturity?

4-7 Years

Both male and female bears reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 and 7 years.

1-3 Years

4-7 Months

1-3 Months

What impedes spectacled bear population estimates?

Elusive Behavior

Because spectacled bears are shy and stealthy and live in remote habitats, no one knows exactly how many remain in the wild.

Remote Habitat

Because spectacled bears are shy and stealthy and live in remote habitats, no one knows exactly how many remain in the wild.

Defensive Behavior

Camouflage

Spectacled bears avoid contact with humans.

True

Spectacled bears are shy, peaceful, and elusive, and avoid contact with humans.

False

Spectacled bears give birth to more cubs when food is abundant.

True

The size of a spectacled bear’s litter is positively correlated with the weight of the female and the abundance and variety of food sources.

False

The spectacled bear’s zygomaticomandibularis muscles and cheek teeth are designed for what type of diet?

Herbivorous

The spectacled bear’s zygomaticomandibularis muscles, along with the blunt lophs of the cheek teeth, are adaptations for their primarily herbivorous diet.

Carnivorous

What percentage of spectacled bear habitat is lost each year?

3-6%

3-6% of spectacled bear habitat is lost each year.

23-26%

13-16%

33-36%

What is the spectacled bear’s movement pattern?

Migrant

Spectacled bears are thought to be migratory.

Nomadic

Not a Migrant

When is the spectacled bear breeding season?

April-June

Males and females mainly come together to mate between the months of April and June.

October-December

July-September

January-March

Spectacled bears possess great religious and cultural value to indigenous people.

True

Spectacled bears possess great religious and cultural value to the native people whom share their range and are the source of a lot of myths. Until humans began to forcibly introduce themselves, wild Andean bears were mysterious and a bit mythological. Some indigenous cultures in South America revered them as spiritual mediators. In some areas, they are considered a divine creature linking Heaven to Earth.

False

Why do spectacled bears nest in trees?

Sleep

One of the more unique features of Andean bears is their construction and use of platforms or nests which the bears create in the understory of the trees. These platforms allow the bear to obtain easier access to food high in the canopy, provide concealment, and are also used for sleeping. Spectacled bears have even been observed building platforms of bent and broken branches in trees in order to watch cornfields or herds of cattle (Bos taurus).

Easier Access to Food

One of the more unique features of Andean bears is their construction and use of platforms or nests which the bears create in the understory of the trees. These platforms allow the bear to obtain easier access to food high in the canopy, provide concealment, and are also used for sleeping. Spectacled bears have even been observed building platforms of bent and broken branches in trees in order to watch cornfields or herds of cattle (Bos taurus).

Concealment

One of the more unique features of Andean bears is their construction and use of platforms or nests which the bears create in the understory of the trees. These platforms allow the bear to obtain easier access to food high in the canopy, provide concealment, and are also used for sleeping. Spectacled bears have even been observed building platforms of bent and broken branches in trees in order to watch cornfields or herds of cattle (Bos taurus).

Observation Tower

One of the more unique features of Andean bears is their construction and use of platforms or nests which the bears create in the understory of the trees. These platforms allow the bear to obtain easier access to food high in the canopy, provide concealment, and are also used for sleeping. Spectacled bears have even been observed building platforms of bent and broken branches in trees in order to watch cornfields or herds of cattle (Bos taurus).

What value does a spectacled bear gallbladder have in east Asia?

$150

Recent estimates put the price at $150.00 USD for one gallbladder, which is five times the average monthly wage in Ecuador.

$15

$1,500

$15,000

Spectacled bear parts are believed to have what attributes?

Strength

In some regions in South America, the bear’s meat is believed to impart strength, its fat is used to cure certain illnesses, and its claws are supposed to bring good luck.

Cure Illness

In some regions in South America, the bear’s meat is believed to impart strength, its fat is used to cure certain illnesses, and its claws are supposed to bring good luck.

Good Luck

In some regions in South America, the bear’s meat is believed to impart strength, its fat is used to cure certain illnesses, and its claws are supposed to bring good luck.

Wisdom

What is the record lifespan of the spectacled bear?

36 Years

The longest recorded lifespan was at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., where the bear lived to be 36 years, 8 months of age.

21 Years

26 Years

41 Years

The spectacled bear has a tail.

True

They have a short tail, about 7 centimeters long, (2.8 inches,) that is often completely hidden by the fur.

False

In what season are male spectacled bear home ranges largest?

Dry

Males are reported to have a larger average home range of 23 square kilometers during the wet season and 27 square kilometers during the dry season.

Wet

How much of a spectacled bear’s diet is composed of meat?

5%

Only 5% of the Andean bear’s diet is composed of meat.

0%

15%

25%

What threatens spectacled bears?

Climate Change

Human development and encroachment, from agriculture to new settlements has significantly impacted the bear’s numbers throughout its range. Sadly, habitat loss and fragmentation is bringing bears and humans into greater proximity, leading to increased human-bear-conflict. This increase in conflict results in reduced tolerance and escalated bear kills. Mining, road development, and oil exploration are also increasing threats to the spectacled bear’s habitat.

Biological Resource Use

Human development and encroachment, from agriculture to new settlements has significantly impacted the bear’s numbers throughout its range. Sadly, habitat loss and fragmentation is bringing bears and humans into greater proximity, leading to increased human-bear-conflict. This increase in conflict results in reduced tolerance and escalated bear kills. Mining, road development, and oil exploration are also increasing threats to the spectacled bear’s habitat.

Agriculture

Human development and encroachment, from agriculture to new settlements has significantly impacted the bear’s numbers throughout its range. Sadly, habitat loss and fragmentation is bringing bears and humans into greater proximity, leading to increased human-bear-conflict. This increase in conflict results in reduced tolerance and escalated bear kills. Mining, road development, and oil exploration are also increasing threats to the spectacled bear’s habitat.

Energy Production

Human development and encroachment, from agriculture to new settlements has significantly impacted the bear’s numbers throughout its range. Sadly, habitat loss and fragmentation is bringing bears and humans into greater proximity, leading to increased human-bear-conflict. This increase in conflict results in reduced tolerance and escalated bear kills. Mining, road development, and oil exploration are also increasing threats to the spectacled bear’s habitat.

Spectacled bears are the most herbivorous bears.

False

Besides giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), spectacled bears are probably the most herbivorous bear species.

True

Spectacled bears have longer fore limbs than hind limbs.

True

Their front limbs are longer than their hind limbs, giving them amazing climbing abilities.

False

Spectacled bears will jump from tree to tree.

True

Andean bears will even try to escape conflict by jumping from tree to tree.

False

Spectacled bears are territorial.

False

Because they have been observed to feed in small groups, it is unlikely that these bears are highly territorial.

True

Spectacled bears are the largest terrestrial mammal in South America.

False

Spectacled bears are the second largest terrestrial mammal in South America, after the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris).

True

The spectacled bear is the last remaining short-faced bear from the subfamily Tremarctinae.

True

The spectacled bear is the last remaining short-faced bear from the subfamily Tremarctinae and the Tremarctos genus, endemic to the Americas from the Pliocene to recent.

False

What features originated the spectacled bear’s scientific name?

Bone Structure

The root trem comes from a Greek word meaning hole and arctos is the Greek word for bear. Tremarctos is a reference to an unusual hole on the animal’s humerus. Ornatus, Latin for decorated, is a reference to the markings that give the bear its common English name, spectacled bear.

Facial Markings

The root trem comes from a Greek word meaning hole and arctos is the Greek word for bear. Tremarctos is a reference to an unusual hole on the animal’s humerus. Ornatus, Latin for decorated, is a reference to the markings that give the bear its common English name, spectacled bear.

Arboreal Lifestyle

Social Structure

How does the spectacled bear contribute to the ecosystem?

Seed Dispersal

Because of their largely herbivorous diet, it is likely that they play a role in seed dispersal.

Reduces Disease

Predator Food Source

Forest Regeneration

The spectacled bear is the only bear native to South America.

True

The spectacled bear is the only species of bear native to South America.

False

Olfaction is the dominant form of communication for spectacled bears.

True

Olfaction is the dominant form of communication for spectacled bears.

False

Spectacled Bear Trivia

Published by Noelle M. Brooks

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