Whether you see them as fierce merciless hunters or big fluffy bundles of fun, bears are loved and respected the world over.
But outside certain species’ love of honey and salmon, many people don’t know much about these majestic beasts.
So here are 5 essential bear facts to satisfy your curiosity.
1. There are 8 different species of bear
Have a think how many species of bear you can name. Most people can name a few, but not many can fully list the North American black bear, the Asiatic black bear, the brown bear, the giant panda, the polar bear, the sloth bear, the sun bear, and the spectacled bear.
These different species of bear are spread out across the globe, which speaks volumes about the adaptability and survival powers of these amazing animals.
2. Brown bears are the most widespread of all the bears
Of all these 8 species, the brown bear is the kind you can find in most places around the world.
The brown bear can actually be found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. And if you think this is impressive, it’s actually a much smaller area than it had in the past.
Over the years, the brown bear’s habitat and roaming grounds have shrunk for a variety of reasons (not least human activity). But despite this, it’s still the most widespread bear in existence today.
3. Cross-breed bears are beginning to appear
Just like mules (the result of a horse and donkey breeding) and ligers (the offspring of lions and ligers), new ‘Grolar’ and ‘Pizzly’ bears are coming into existence.
This is beginning to happen as polar bears and grizzly bears increasingly come into contact with one another as they move into each others’ habitats.
Amazingly, their offspring are actually fertile, leading to speculation that a whole new type of bear breed could come into existence!
4. Black bears are sometimes brown
The type of bear we call the black bear can actually come in a range of colors, depending on the environment it lives in. These colors can range from black to brown to cinnamon to blond to blue-gray or even white.
Lighter colored bears are found more frequently in the western USA. This coloration thought to help the bears employ effective camouflage in their environment, as well as help them cope with the heat.
Meanwhile, in the cooler climate of the northeast, approximately 97% of black bears are really black.
5. Polar bears are basically sea-bears
Polar bears rely on the ocean to provide them with food and frequently need to spend time inside the icy waters to catch dinner.
Because of this, they’re the only species of bear to be classed as a marine mammal and they’re even protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Polar bears are specially adapted for life in the water, having partially webbed front paws and an impressive 6mph swimming speed when under the waves.
Plus those thick layers of fur and blubber keep them warm in the freezing arctic environment.
Did that get you interested? Well, we’ve bear-ly got started!
Take a look at this bear-themed selection from our range and celebrate your love of these noble creatures with a new addition to your Wyvern’s Hoard collection…
Berserker's Claws With Triquetra Ring
$29.99
The word Berserker is derived from the Old Norse words, ber-serkr, which means 'bear-shirt'. During the Viking era, Berserkers were a troop of strong, wild warriors who would enter battlefields wearing only bear pelts. They would fight in an uncontrollable,… SEE MORE
Viking Bear Necklace
$24.99
$34.99
Viking Berserkers were warriors famous for working themselves into an insane battle frenzy. Legend says they did so by invoking the spirit of a bear, even donning a bear skin, to imbue them with superhuman strength and fury. These bear necklaces… SEE MORE