Spectacled Bear Photo © Lou Jost

Spectacled Bear Tremarctos ornatus

The Spectacled Bear is a small black or dark brown bear with white markings that encircle their eyes resembling spectacles.

Spectacled bears are mainly vegetarian, eating fruit, leaves and nuts. However, they sometimes supplement their diet with insects and mice. They are active at night and live mainly in forested areas but can also be found in more open scrub land. They are very good climbers and create a platform in the trees to eat from.

Spectacled bear. See a larger image. (Use your back button to return here.)

The Spectacled Bear is the only bear found in South America. Previously hunted for meat and sport, bear numbers have declined and they are now only found in western South America.

The Spectacled Bear is classified as vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book and is now a protected species. (See IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for more information on the classification of the Spectacled Bear.) However, they are still poached for their gall bladders, fat and bones for the medicinal market.

Spectacled Bear Photo © Lou Jost

Help Protect the Spectacled Bear and Other Wildlife in Ecuador

Spectacled bears are known to live in the World Land Trust project areas in Ecuador. Help protect their habitat by saving an acre of rainforest in Ecuador.

Find more information on the Spectacled Bear on ARKive: Images of life on Earth