Bears of the World: All 8 Living Species

Meet every living bear species — polar, brown, American black, Asiatic black, sun, sloth, spectacled, and giant panda — with size, range, diet, and conservation status.

Global Animal Guide · July 10, 2026

Brown bear in a natural habitat — Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · credits

Quick answer

There are eight living bear species in family Ursidae: polar bear, brown bear (including grizzly), American black bear, Asiatic black bear, sun bear, sloth bear, spectacled (Andean) bear, and giant panda. Most are omnivores; the polar bear is the most carnivorous. Several are Vulnerable or Endangered.

Last updated: July 2026.

Family Ursidae has eight living species — from polar bears on sea ice to giant pandas in bamboo forests.

The eight living bears

Species	Range highlight	Diet note	IUCN (typical)
Polar bear	Arctic sea ice	Seals	Vulnerable
Brown bear	Eurasia, N. America	Omnivore	Least Concern (some pops threatened)
American black bear	North America	Omnivore	Least Concern
Asiatic black bear	Asia	Omnivore	Vulnerable
Sun bear	SE Asia	Omnivore / insects, fruit	Vulnerable
Sloth bear	Indian subcontinent	Termites, fruit	Vulnerable
Spectacled bear	Andes	Mostly plants	Vulnerable
Giant panda	China	Bamboo specialist	Vulnerable

Shared biology

Stocky bodies, plantigrade feet, strong smell, long canine teeth, and — in temperate species — seasonal fattening and denning. See hibernation explained.

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Frequently asked questions

How many bear species are there?

Eight living species.

Is a panda a bear?

Yes — the giant panda is a true bear (Ursidae), not a raccoon relative.

What is the largest bear?

Polar bears and large coastal brown bears (Kodiak) compete for heaviest; polar bears are usually longest.

Are koalas bears?

No — koalas are marsupials. 'Koala bear' is a misnomer.