THE BEAR FAMILY 



( Ursidas) 



EARS comprise one of the most distinctly marked families of all the Carniv- 

 ores. No one familiar with animals could see a Bear even at a distance 

 and fail to recognize it. While the Bears may differ widely in size and coloring 

 in various countries, the same general traits are peculiar to all. They are 

 heavy lumbering animals, treading solidly upon their feet. In some species 

 they grow to immense size, some of the largest being found in North America. 

 They are, indeed, the largest of our Carnivores. 



The skull of the Bear is heavy and elongated, the back portion being 

 especially heavy, and the jaws powerfully hinged. The teeth are true 

 molars with broad fiat crowns. The soles of the feet are naked, the feet are 

 plantigrade, and the tail short. 

 The members of the Bear family are characterized by their heavy and massive build, 

 their thick limbs, extremely short tails, and the presence of five toes armed with powerful 

 claws, on both the fore and hind feet. Moreover, when walking, the whole sole of the foot 

 is applied to the ground in the heavy plantigrade manner, so that the impression of 

 a bear's foot presents a considerable superficial resemblance to that of a man. The claws 

 of the feet are incapable of being retracted, and are well adapted for digging, although no 

 rnembers of the family are in the habit of constructing burrows for themselves after the manner 

 of foxes. 



The various members of the family have a marked resemblance to one another, so 

 that the characters by which the different species are distinguished are slight. Their fur 

 is coarse, and generally long, thick, and shaggy, although it may be short and thin in some 

 of the tropical species. Except for an occasional white collar round the throat, the fur is 

 nearly always of one color, and generally some shade of either brown or black. It is true, 

 indeed, that the Polar Bear is a marked exception to this rule, but in this case the color of 

 the fur has evidently been specially modified to suit the natural surroundings. The great 

 prevalence of black among the Bears is a feature unknown in any other group of Carnivores, 

 and is, indeed, rare among Mammals in general. 



Bears have a wide geographical distribution, occurnng throughout Europe, Asia, and 

 North America, while one species inhabits the South American Andes, and another the African 

 Atlas. South, however, of the Atlas not a single member of the family is to be found 

 throughout the length and breadth of Africa. Geologically speaking, true Bears, that is to 

 say those which can be referred to the genera now living, are of comparatively recent origin, 

 none being yet known before the Pliocene, while it is not till the succeeding period that they 

 become abundant. 



POLAR BEAR 



Thalarctos maritimus Knottncnis-Mevcr 



Other Name. — White Bear. 



General Description. — One of the largest of Bears, 

 reaching a length of lo to ii feet. Color whitish to 

 yellowish white. Neck elongate. Soles of feet hairy 

 with small bald pads. Forehead nearly on line with 

 nose. Head long. Molar teeth small and narrow. 

 Tail very short. 



Dental Formula.— Incisors, ^-^ : Canines, ^-' : 



3—3 1— I ' 



Premolars, . — ; Molars, ^^^=42. 



4 — 4 3—3 



Pelage. — Sexes similar ; young like adults. Color 

 white at all seasons ; sometimes portions of the pelage 

 tinged with yellow or saffron. Hair long, soft and 

 very dense, especially in winter. 



[85l 



