Skip to main content

Table 1 Important features and traits for each species

From: Sequencing and assembling bear genomes: the bare necessities

Bear

Environment

Diet

Hibernator

Unique Traits

Human relevance

References

Giant panda

Broadleaf & coniferous, temperate forests

Herbivorous

No

Enhanced innate & cellular immunity

Autoimmune diseases

[27]

Brown bear

Variety of habitats (from desserts, to mountains, to tundra)

Omnivorous

Yes

Protects vital metabolic functions during hibernation

Diabetes, obesity, muscle loss

[23,24,25, 29]

Asiatic black bear

High-elevation forested hills & mountains

Omnivorous

Yes

Endures hypoxic conditions & protects vital metabolic functions During Hibernation

Asthma, lung disease, anemia

[17, 30]

Andean bear

High-elevation forested hills & mountains

Omnivorous

No

Endures hypoxic conditions

Asthma, lung disease, anemia

[18]

Polar bear

Arctic

Carnivorous

Females only

Endures hypoxic conditions & a high-fat diet

Cardiovascular disease, asthma, lung disease, anemia

[19, 20]

American black bear

Coniferous & deciduous forests & open alpine habitat

Omnivorous

Yes

Protects vital metabolic functions during hibernation

Kidney disease, venous thromboembolism, diabetes

[21, 22]

Sun bear

Tropical rain forests

Omnivorous

No

N/A

N/A

N/A

Sloth bear

Wet & dry tropical forests

Omnivorous

No

N/A

N/A

N/A