The Spectacled Bear
The Spectacled Bear, or Tremarctos Ornatus, is an endangered species. This rare bear can only be found in a few 
elusive spots in the world. Many endangered species all over the world don’t deserve the respect and care that they 
need. That is why many endangered species often become extinct or remain on the endangered species list for the 
remainder of their survival on Earth. Today, as more species become endangered, more people become involved in 
their care. Many things are being done to save endangered species, including safe, poacher-free environments in 
captivity, and wildlife preservations, to name a few. Only a handful of zoos and sanctuaries around the globe are 
lucky enough to be able to try to breed and care for rare endangered species. 
The Phoenix Zoo is an example of this. Right now, they have captive many endangered species, including the almost 
extinct Mexican Wolf and Spectacled Bear. In their newest exhibit, called “The Forest of Uco,” the Phoenix Zoo has 
Spectacled bears and other animals from South America, the Spectacled Bears’ homeland. The Forest is a great 
place for the Spectacled Bears to exist, and a great place for everyone to observe their beauty. 
The Spectacled Bear’s name is derived from their markings. Around their eyes, the Spectacled Bear has white rings, 
contrasting with their dark brown bodies. These look like spectacles, hence the name. Though it is quite easy to see 
why they got their name, the Spectacled bears do not live up to it so strongly. When observed closely, Spectacled 
Bears, in most cases, don’t have spectacles at all. In fact, most Spectacled Bears have white “sideburns” or faint 
rings. They are a beautiful species, no matter what the extent of their markings is. 
Spectacled Bears belong to the class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Ursidae, and genus/species Tremarctos 
Ornatus. All bears belong to Mammalia, Carnivora, Ursidae, and the genus Ursus Linnaeus. These are the scientific 
names for the Spectacled Bear and all bears. 
The Spectacled Bear is not a relatively big bear, but is decent in size. Its body length is, on average, 6 ft in head and 
body length, with a tail length of 70 mm. The bears weigh in at about 300lbs (fully grown male). They stand about 
30 in at the shoulders. The Spectacled Bear is vividly and beautifully colored. Their fur is black-brown, with lighter 
tones towards their chest and neck. Their muzzle is mostly light brown to red, and white. Of course, their face is 
gorgeously decorated. It has thin white bands that wrap around it eyes and muzzle. These markings are quite easy to 
recognize and identify. 
Spectacled Bears have a very limited diet. They feed largely on plant matter, including leaves, shoots, fruits and 
roots. In Ecuador, the Bear’s main source of plant matter is the Pambili Palm Tree. The bear climbs to the top of the 
tree, and strips it of its leaves, which fall to the ground. The bear then dismounts the tree and it eats the fallen leaves. 
Also, the bear will tear open the green flesh of young palms in order to reach the tender pith inside. It feeds on the 
buds of the tree, too. In the northern reaches of Peru, the bear feeds mostly on the fruits of a species called Capparis. 
Though mostly vegetarian, there have been cases of the Spectacled Bear feeding on meat. In the wild, it has been 
recorded that the Spectacled Bear will, if necessary, feed on deer, guanacos, and vicunas. Also, the Bear will eat 
meat in captivity if necessary. The bear will feed on small rodents such as rats and insects, to deer and wild boar. 
When hungry, the bear loves corn, but will often pay the price of his life to farmers, whose crops the bears will raid. 
Although the bear is a predator, it is not known to be prey to any larger animals. 
The Spectacled Bear is native to South America. There are many different countries and regions that it spans, but it 
mainly occupies the northern regions of Chile and the southern regions of Bolivia and Peru. Though these are the 
bears’ common home, it has been found as far as Ecuador, Columbia, and Venezuela. The Spectacled Bear is really 
native to the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The Bear can actually live in elevations up to 3,658 meters. Though 
it is found in elevations of only 457 meters. Usually, the Spectacled Bear prefers hot, humid forests with elevations 
between, 1,900 and 2,350 meters. The Bear also inhabits coastal thorn forests, when water is available. High altitude 
grasslands are also another habitat option for the Spectacled Bear. This bear is very distributed throughout South 
America and lives in many different environment, too. They have been found in rainforests as well as tundras in the 
Andes Mountains. 
The Spectacled Bear is mainly a nocturnal animal. During the daytime, Tremarctos Ornatus rests and sleeps between 
or under large tree roots. It also sleeps on a tree trunk, or even in a cave. In trees, The Spectacled Bear assembles a 
nest of surrounding supplies, mostly branches. It climbs up into the tree, and makes itself a “bed” of sorts before 
lying down to rest. The Bear is a very smart creature, positioning its bed to where it can reach surrounding fruit 
without getting up. Nests have been found as high up as 15 meters. 
The Spectacled Bear lives, on average, up to 36 years. This is the longest life span of a captive Spectacled Bear. 
Others in captivity range in age from 14 to 21 to even 36 years. It is not known how long they live in the wild, but is 
estimated at about 20-25 years, both male and females. Most animals live a lot longer when kept captive, so the 
estimate is not closely accurate. 
The gestation period of the Spectacled Bear is approximately 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 months. Also involved is a delayed 
implantation. Litters of cubs usually contain 1 to 3 cubs each weighing about 350 grams. Young are produced at a 
certain time of the year depending on where they are located in the world. In the Buenos Aires Zoo in South 
America, young were produced in July. While the young produced in Europe were born from late December to 
March. The mating of the boar (male bear) and the sow (female bear) is strictly sexual. Female Spectacled Bears 
generally mate every second year and occasionally, every third year. Mating occurs mostly in late Spring to early 
Summer (June and early July in the northern hemisphere). The actual development of the embryo is unknown. 
Though it is known that all bears, including the Spectacled Bear, go through a process called delayed implantation. 
This process is a case when the newly forming embryo halts development and becomes! 
inactive for possibly six months. After that period, the embryo then resumes development as if it had just been 
implanted into the uterus wall. 
All young are born blind, hairless, toothless, and utterly defenseless. The cubs remain with their mother until they 
are old enough to defend themselves. This occurs usually after the mothers’ next mating. Young Spectacled Bear 
cubs gain sexual maturity when they are 2 1/2 to 4 years of age. Though sexual maturity is gained early in life, their 
first mating will most likely not be held until following years. Maximum physical maturity is not even attained until 
many years after sexual maturity. 
The most important part of this report is why the Spectacled Bear is endangered. There are many reason for this. 
First of all, many of the Spectacled Bears’ habitats are being destroyed. This is due to the need for farmland by 
South American Farmers. Destroying the habitats of animals in one of the major causes of animal endangerment and 
extinction today. So many forests are being annihilated every day, that the Spectacled Bear will soon have nowhere 
to live. 
Another reason for the Bears’ endangerment is poachers. In South America, Spectacled Bears are a popular sport 
animal and are being killed by the dozens every day. Also, the Spectacled Bears are killed by Peruvian and Bolivian 
farmers and hunters for their rich and expensive skin and fat. It is very valuable to many natives of South America. 
Spectacled Bears are also being killed by crop owners. The curious and hungry bears oftentimes wander into 
cornfields to eat and get shot by farmers. 
In Peru today, the number of Spectacled Bears is decreasing. Right now, it is estimated that there are 800 to 2000 
animals in Peru, part of which live in the Manu National Park. In Venezuela, the number is dropping and the bear is 
now considered rare. The bear is hunted in Columbia, but remains at a steady number. The only hope the animal has 
is to remain in Ecuador and Bolivia, where its habitats are inaccessible to humans. 
In order to help this dwindling animal, we need to stop the destruction of natural habitats for farmland. We need also 
to stop the poaching. Though poaching against Spectacled Bears is highly prohibited, there is no way that it can be 
absolutely stopped. We all need to recognize our problems that afflict us regarding our endangered species. We need 
to do something about it. For more information regarding the Spectacled Bear and its status in the wild and in 
captivity, here are some organizations you might care to contact: 
The American Wildlife Association 
The Wild Ones - The Wildlife Preservation Trust International 
AZA - The American Zoology Association 
The Phoenix Zoo















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