ZOOTRITIONAnimals StudiedRoscoe's Biography

Roscoe the Spectacled Bear


Lake Park student photo

Roscoe at a glance....

Name:

Roscoe

Latin Name:

Tremarctos ornatus

Sex:

Male

Weight:

170 kg/374 lbs

Age:

15

 

Photo: Brent Ward

Spectacled Bears at a Glance 

Genus name:

Tremarctos

Native Habitat:

Forests, deserts, grasslands, and mountains

Avg. Weight:

Male: 114-136 kg/ 250-300 lbs 
Female: 68-91 kg/150-200 lbs 

Avg. Height:

Male: 1.5-1.8 m/5-6 ft
Female: 1.5-1.8 m/5-6 ft

Additional information about Spectacled Bears

Spectacled bears are sometimes known as Andean Bears because the live along the Andes Mountains. They are also known for living in the wooded, mountainous regions of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, western Bolivia, Panama, and northern Argentina. They get their name from the prominent pattern of light fur around their eyes that sometimes speads down their chest. These bears have large skulls, strong teeth, and powerful jaws. Although they are omnivorous, in the wilderness, spectacled bears mostly use their mighty jaws for eating fruits and vegetables, and occasionally small animals. The bears are excellent tree climbers. This is because they are nocturnal and spend much of their time during the day sleeping in trees. Spectacled bears may live 20 years in the wild, and from 20-36 years in captivity. This species is endangered due to the loss of habitat because of human enchroachment and hunting for its meat and skin. About 1,000-2,000 still live in the Andes Mountains. Approximately 170 are located in zoos around the world. Unfortunately, it is likely that the animal will continue to be endagered because of the lack of genetic diversity in the wild.

 
 
 

Links

http://www.scz.org/pampas/sbear1.html

http://www.aza.org/aza/ssp/SPCBEjpg.html

http://www.lpzoo.com/animals/mammals/facts/spec_bear.html

 


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