Bears
are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms,
or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living
relatives. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are
widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the
Northern Hemisphere and partially in the Southern Hemisphere. Bears are
found on the continents of North America, South America, Europe, and
Asia.Common characteristics of modern bears include large bodies with
stocky legs, long snouts, shaggy hair, plantigrade paws with five
nonretractile claws, and short tails. While the polar bear is mostly
carnivorous, and the giant panda feeds almost entirely on bamboo, the
remaining six species are omnivorous with varied diets.
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