Two lineages evolved from U. minimus: the black bears (including the sun bear, the Asian black bear, and the American black bear); and the brown bears (which includes the polar bear).

Apr 26, 2026 · Bear, any of eight species of large short-tailed carnivores found in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The sun bear is the smallest, often weighing less than 50 kg (110 pounds).

They can be as small as four feet long and about 60 pounds (the sun bear) to as big as eight feet long and more than a thousand pounds (the polar bear). They’re found throughout North America...

Feb 17, 2026 · While several bear species of today are vulnerable to extinction, only a few bear species or subspecies have become extinct in recent history. This includes the Californian grizzly bear in the …

2 days ago · Two hikers were attacked by one or more bears, officials said, marking the first time in 2026 that a bear has injured people at Yellowstone.

Bear Evolution Early bears Bears are the youngest of the carnivore families, having arisen from doglike ancestors during the Eocene Epoch 55 million to 38 million years ago.

There are eight distinct species of bears, each with unique characteristics and habitats, from the famous grizzly to the elusive Andean bear. Click on any species below to discover fascinating facts about …