Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Scientific Name: Tremarctos ornatus

Range: South America from Colombia and western Venezuela to Bolivia and Peru

Habitat: Cloud forests in the Andes Mountains from 650-14,000 ft., grasslands above 10,000 ft.

Diet: Wild: Palm, fruit and nut tree yields, roots, grasses, cashews, bromeliads, carrion, insects Zoo: Dog chow, apples, sweet potatoes

Gestation: 240-255 days

Litter: 1-3

Description: Black fur with white-yellowish stripes which arch over the base of the nose and eyes give a spectacled appearance to this bear. The markings around the eyes vary considerably between individuals. Males weigh up to 250 pounds on average, although ones as heavy as 400 pounds have been found. Females weigh between 74 to 150 lbs. Total body length can be from 60 to 72 inches.This animal is considered to be rare. This bear is a good climber and uses its long muzzle to eat bromeliad hearts, leaf stems of palm leaves, as well as figs and other fruit. It will also eat insects, carrion and occasionally kill a small animal or even something as big as a deer or guanaco. The least carnivorous of all bears, the Andean bear is but one of four bears found south of the equator, the others being the sun bear, the sloth bear and the Asiatic black bear. They sleep in self-made tree nests, large root cavities, or on ground beds.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Bear & Tiger Exhibits at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.