Do the eight species of bear have any common features?
All species are fairly similar, though there are slight differences in size and diet. Bears have stocky bodies, powerful limbs, thick fur and a quick tail. They have elongated heads, rounded ears and lengthy snouts. They have a keen sense of listening to and smell. All bears, without the polar bear, are omnivorous. Their assorted diet includes roots, nuts, fruit, berries, honey, caterpillars and ants. Bear teeth are small, and are mainly used for defence or as tools. The molar teeth are wide and flat, suitable for shredding and grinding fruit, nuts and berries.
