The Andean bear of South America is also known as the spectacled bear for the rings of white or light fur around its eyes, which can look like eyeglasses (or spectacles) against the rest of the bear’s black or dark brown fur.
These markings often extend down the chest, giving each bear a unique appearance and helping researchers identify each bear by its “mug shot”. The markings also give the bear its scientific name: Tremarctos ornatus, or decorated bear. Find out more!
