The spectacled bear is closely associated with the Andes mountain range.
The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), also called the Andean bear, is native to the Andes Mountains of northern and western South America. Its range extends through countries including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina, with occasional records near Panama.
The name “spectacled bear” refers to pale markings on the face, eyes, chest, or throat. These markings vary greatly: in some individuals they form patterns that resemble spectacles, while others have only small patches. The species is the only living bear native to South America and the last surviving member of the short-faced-bear subfamily, Tremarctinae.
Andean bears use a surprisingly broad range of habitats, from tropical cloud forests to high-altitude páramo grasslands and dry forests. They are skilled climbers and may build platforms in trees for feeding or resting. Habitat loss and fragmentation have contributed to their vulnerable conservation status, making the Andes central to both their identity and survival.