Bears are big, fuzzy, and chubby mammals found widely in all of Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.In the past, there had been quite a large variety of bear species spotted all around these continents before they became extinct. Today, these muffled creatures are found extant in a range of eight species.Every animal has a special kind of spark that is just its own and cannot be found in another. This spark is what draws us in, luring us to explore more. A bear is a beautiful beast with wonders and manners brutally charming. It may come as a surprise to many that not every continent in the world harbors this animal. There are places where bears do not exist at all, they have either gone extinct or have never inhabited certain regions. Do you ever wonder where these bears exist, and where they don’t? How many years has it been since Africa lost all its bears? Just what conditions are suitable for a polar bear? Where do the Atlas bears belong? Why do Antarctica and Australia not have any bears at all? We’ve got the answers for you. Discover where bears can be easily sighted, how various species are different yet the same, and why Africa has become a land with no bears.Over the years, the world has seen a large number of varying bear species, but only eight of these bears have made it through time and continue to exist in the present day. This octet of mammals is comprised of the North American black bear, Asian black bear, Brown Bear, Polar Bear, Sun Bear, Sloth Bear, Spectacled Bear, and lastly, the Giant Panda. No matter the species, bears are all big and tough, even in the case of the adorable and cuddly bear that we know as the Giant Panda.This mammal could easily win the title of the King of the Jungle if it wanted to, for a bear possess the physical power. Alas, it is for their physical wonders, their dagger-like claws that can tear through whatever angers them, their killer fangs that work around their prey rather artfully, their luxuriant fur, for which these innocent bears are hunted for sport. Hunting, killing, and the displaying of these bears have played a larger role in their extinction than the natural world.Bears are beautifully strong creatures that not all habitats can host, for every species, different and specific, has specific and varying requirements of their own.Why are there no bears in Africa?Australia and Antarctica have always been the continents to never have had bears, not even a single bear species has been seen living on these lands. Even the cute and cuddly koala is not technically a bear! Presently, though, Africa has also been added to the list of continents that do not contain bears.It is believed that the reason behind the absence of the bear species in this continent is the hunting of these animals by the Roman Empire in the early years. Africa has always been a land of the most scenic jungles, portrayed as an ideal home for wildlife in movies like The Lion King, a classic animated musical bringing together a spectrum of wild animals. Once upon a time, the beautiful species of brown bears, also known as Ursus Arctos, had walked and marked the Atlas Mountains, announcing their arrival all the way from European lands. Today, however, not only are there no more of these brown bears to sight in Africa, but the continent remains uninhabited by bears of any kind. The grizzly bear, too, was once found in North Africa.When did bears go extinct in Africa?The last and only native bear to ever walk the lands of Africa was the Atlas bear. The Atlas bear was also victim to inevitable extinction.Roman hunters had taken charge of hunting bears in Africa, this targeted range included the Atlas bear and the brown bears. They spectacularly fulfilled this cruel promise made to no one. Once again, hunting for sports cost humanity an entire species worth of loss. It was in the late years of the 19th century that Africa was completely wiped off of bears, the last prey of hunting being the native Atlas bear. The Atlas bear had to be killed in its own home with the hands of the Romans and weapons that were only alien to them, which truly made the story of their disappearance sad but also serves as a lesson to learn empathy and basic humanity from. Thus, today, after several years, the scenic land of Africa remains empty of brown bears, the native Atlas bears, and any other bears in general.Which countries have bears?Bears still exist in countries like Canada, Greenland, the United States, and even in some countries in Europe.Not every land in the world offers the necessary environment for all wildlife to survive and thrive in. A specific species is born for a specific habitat. Therefore, no matter how big, bad and strong, wild animals cannot dominate territories unsuitable and unmeant for them. Countries like Canada and Greenland, and regions in between, are ideal lands for a polar bear to actively and safely survive in, for they offer the required cold conditions. Atlas bears were best known to be found in the Atlas Mountains while also inhabiting areas of Morocco. The American black bear, a species popular for its rich black muzzle and fur that is also found in varying shades of brown, is found largely in North America, and in countries like Alaska and Canada. An interesting fact about the spectacled bear is that it is the only bear native to South America, and it can be sighted in South American countries that host dense forests. Brown bears, similar to black bears, are found extensively in regions of Europe and Asia, for these brown bears need forest cover to live. The Giant Panda is located dwelling in the mountains southwest of China. Because they need tropical forests to survive in, sun bears are largely found occupying regions of Southeast Asia. The Sloth bear is vastly sighted in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and regions alike that provide tropical lowlands for this species to reside in.Thus, these wild mammals are found thriving in countries of Europe and Asia that offer settings of woodlands, and Siberian forests as well.Could a grizzly survive in Africa?The climatic conditions of Africa are just not made for a grizzly bear. The temperatures and overall setting do not contribute positively to a grizzly bear’s requirements, thereby not promising its survival.The grizzly bear is another member of the family of Ursus bears. It is a subspecies of the North American brown bear. Africa is most influenced by desert-like climatic conditions. Consequently, it experiences tropical periods at large. These natural conditions like desert lands, tropical periods, low temperatures, and heat, are all faulty for a grizzly bear to survive in. African temperatures are extreme opposites of the required ones needed to maintain a setting layered with frigidity. Thus, it is not feasible for these big, velvety clouds of fawn to survive in a sunny, hot land.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are there bears in Africa, then why not take a look at what is the smartest bird, or what is the strongest force on Earth.
Bears are big, fuzzy, and chubby mammals found widely in all of Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
