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Bears are large mammals that eat mostly meat and fish. However, many also eat plants, blubs, and insects. The polar bear eats mostly meat, and is classified as carnivores, while the panda feeds almost entirely on bamboo and is classified as a herbivore. The six other species eat both plants and animals and are classified as omnivorous. There are only eight living species of bears and they can be found throughout most of the world.
Bears have large bodies, stocky legs, a long snout, shaggy hair, paws with claws, and a short tail. Even though they are big and heavy, bears can run very fast and are also good at climbing and swimming. Bears have a large brain and are one of the more intelligent mammals.
Bears take a long sleep in the winter similar to hiberation. They will sleep in their dens and a mother bear will also have her cubs in a den. Bear cubs are born in litters of 1 - 3. Bear cubs usually stay with their mothers for about 3 years. Bears live alone except when a female has cubs.
Polar bears and grizzly bears can be dangerous to people, especially when they are sharing a habitat. For the most part, bears are shy and are easily frightened of humans. A mother bear will, however, defend her cubs ferociously if they are threatened. Laws have been passed in many areas of the world to protect bears from hunters and the destruction of their habitat.
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