# Spectacled Bear (*Tremarctos ornatus*)

> The spectacled bear is the only bear species native to South America, named for pale facial markings that resemble eyeglasses. It inhabits Andean cloud forests, weighs 60–175 kg (130–385 lb), feeds heavily on fruit and bromeliads, and is listed Vulnerable as forests are cleared.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Andean cloud forests and scrub from western Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/spectacled-bear/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Ursidae
- **Genus:** Tremarctos

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Tremarctos ornatus |
| Diet | Omnivore — fruit, bromeliads, cactus, insects, and small mammals |
| Habitat | Andean cloud forest, scrub, and dry forest from Venezuela to Bolivia |
| Lifespan | 20–25 years in the wild |
| Weight | 60–175 kg (130–385 lb); males larger |
| Top speed | Agile climber; moderate speed on ground |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## Andean arboreal bear

Spectacled bears climb extensively to reach fruit, bromeliads, and cactus pads. They build platform nests in trees for resting and feeding. Their short, broad muzzle and strong jaws crush tough vegetation unavailable to many other Andean mammals.

## Facial markings

Each bear's pale spectacled pattern is unique — rings, semicircles, or light muzzles vary individually. The markings may aid recognition between bears in dense forest. Despite the name, not every individual has obvious 'glasses'.

## Shy temperament

Spectacled bears are generally shy and diurnal, avoiding people when possible. They are not aggressive hunters; small mammals and carrion supplement a mostly vegetarian diet. Males may have large home ranges overlapping several females.

## Conservation in the Andes

Listed Vulnerable, spectacled bears lose habitat to cattle grazing, crop expansion, and mining roads that fragment cloud forest. Corridors linking protected areas in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia are priorities. The species is culturally significant as the 'Andean bear'.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is it called a spectacled bear?

Pale cream or yellowish fur around the eyes and muzzle can look like eyeglasses, though markings vary widely among individuals.

### Are spectacled bears the only bears in South America?

Yes — Tremarctos ornatus is the only living bear species native to South America.

### What do spectacled bears eat?

Mostly fruit, bromeliads, and other plants; they also eat insects, small rodents, and carrion opportunistically.

### Where do spectacled bears live?

Andean cloud forests and adjacent scrub from western Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

### Are spectacled bears endangered?

They are Vulnerable — not yet Endangered globally, but populations are declining from habitat loss and human conflict.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Tremarctos ornatus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Tremarctos%20ornatus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Tremarctos ornatus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Tremarctos_ornatus/)
- [Wikipedia — Spectacled Bear.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectacled_bear)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/spectacled-bear/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.