The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), also known as the Andean bear, is the only surviving species of bear native to South America AND the only surviving short-faced bear. One of its closest relatives is the extinct Giant Short-Faced Bears (which if still alive would be terrifyingly enormous). 

Spectacled bears are seriously threatened by habitat loss with as few as 2,500 mature individuals remaining. Spectacled Bears are omnivores who avoid humans, and prefer to hang out in trees. They get the name spectacled from the distinctive colored markings on their face and chest that are unique to each bear.

Did you know that Paddington Bear is a Spectacled Bear? Or that Stephen Fry did a documentary on a Spectacled Bear? Or have you hear of the Spectacled Bear named Miss Houdini at the San Diego Zoo?

Listen now to learn about the Spectacled Bear, which everyone probably thought was called the speckled bear or something similar, but should actually be called the spectacular bear. 

Spectacled Bear Conservation Society https://sbc-peru.org/ Buy a Felti and Protect Spectacled Bear Habitat!

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