Which bear species is the only one found in the Southern Hemisphere?

The Andean bear is the only bear species found in the Southern Hemisphere.

Also called the spectacled bear, it is scientifically known as Tremarctos ornatus and lives along the Andes in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and parts of northern Argentina. No other living bear species has a naturally occurring range south of the equator.

Its pale facial markings vary between individuals and may look like spectacles, giving the species its best-known common name. Despite being classified as an omnivore, its diet is dominated by plants such as bromeliads, fruits and palm material. It is also an excellent climber and sometimes builds platforms in trees for feeding or resting.

A common mix-up is the sun bear, which is the smallest bear and lives in Southeast Asia. Giant pandas are also geographically restricted to China, while polar bears are confined to the Arctic. “Andean bear” and “spectacled bear” are two names for the same species.