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 | |
Asiatic black bear | High-elevation forested hills & mountains | Omnivorous | Yes | Endures hypoxic conditions & protects vital metabolic functions During Hibernation | Asthma, lung disease, anemia | |
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 | |
American black bear | Coniferous & deciduous forests & open alpine habitat | Omnivorous | Yes | Protects vital metabolic functions during hibernation | Kidney disease, venous thromboembolism, diabetes | |
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 |