Spectacled bear  (Tremarctos ornatus)

Description

The second largest terrestrial mammal in South America (2) and the only bear species to occur there (1), the spectacled bear is named for the white facial markings that encircle the eyes (2) (3). The dense coat is brown or black in colour, sometimes with a reddish tinge, and the white or cream facial markings extend onto the neck and chest. The pattern of these markings is highly variable (2) (3), and may be absent altogether in some individuals (2) (3) (5). The head is rounded, and the snout is relatively short compared to other bear species. The male spectacled bear is larger than the female (5) (6).