Spectacled Bear

Tremarctos ornatus

image courtesy of Arktofile.net

The spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear, is the only species of bear in South America. They are relatively small bears (the smallest of the true bears), descended from a now-extinct doglike bear that migrated from Asia following the same path as the ancestors of the Native Americans of North America.

Their primary feature, from which they derive their name, is distinctive cream-colored markings around their eyes, sometimes extending down to their throats. These markings are unique to each bear, serving as a form of identification both to scientists and to cubs. Baby spectacled bears use these patterns to recognize their mothers’ faces.

Spectacled bears build nests in trees to sleep in during the day, as far as 50 feet off the ground.