Bear

Key Stage 1

Meaning

A bear is a large animal that eats plants, fruits, and sometimes fish or other meats.

About Bears

Bears have fur.

Most bears come out during the day, but some are nocturnal.

A commonly known fact about bears is that they hibernate in winter, sleeping for months without eating.

Key Stage 2

Meaning

A bear is an omnivorous mammal known for its large size and powerful strength.

About Bears

Bears help control the population of other animals in their habitat.

Bears have thick fur.

Bears can be diurnal or nocturnal, depending on their environment and species.

Bears are known for their ability to hibernate during winter.

Bears have a backbone.

Bears rear their young by nursing them with milk.

Bears are found in various places around the world like forests, mountains, and some arctic regions. They prefer woodland, tundra, and polar habitats.

Bears' common microhabitats include caves, dense brush, and trees.

The name of bear young is cubs.

Adaptations of the Bear

Bears have developed strong limbs and sharp claws for digging and climbing, allowing them to access food and create dens.

Their thick fur provides insulation against cold climates, an adaptation for living in harsh climates.

Bears have a keen sense of smell to locate food over great distances, helping them find a variety of food sources.

Key Stage 3

Meaning

A bear is an omnivorous mammal, part of the family Ursidae, known for its significant size, strength, and adaptability to various ecosystems.

About Bears

Bears contribute to ecosystem health by controlling prey populations and aiding in seed dispersal.

Bears are covered in thick fur.

Bears may be active at different times, with some species preferring daylight hours and others being more nocturnal.

Bears are vertebrates.

They serve roles as both predator and scavenger in their ecosystems, feeding on a varied diet and sometimes being preyed upon by larger animals or humans.

Bears inhabit diverse environments, from dense forests to arctic ice fields.

Common bear microhabitats include dense forests for cover, rivers for fishing, and caves for hibernating.

Most bears give birth to live young.

Bears are homeotherms, maintaining a constant internal body temperature.

Bears often live solitary lives but can form groups in certain circumstances, like a mother with her cubs.

The group noun for bears is a sleuth or sloth.

Key Stage 4

Meaning

A bear is an omnivorous, vertebrate mammal, classified within the order Carnivora, distinguished by its large size, heavy body, and ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats.

About Bears

Bears play a dual role in their habitats and ecosystems as both apex predators and scavengers, contributing to natural control of prey species and plant seed dispersal.

Bears have dense fur.

They are vertebrates.

Bears nurse their offspring with milk.

Bears are viviparous, giving birth to live young.

Bears are homeotherms, maintaining a stable internal body temperature regardless of external conditions.

Key Stage 5

Meaning

The bear, belonging to the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Ursidae, and various genera, is a large, powerful vertebrate known for its adaptability to different environments ranging from forests to arctic ice.

About Bears

Bears have a respiratory system that includes lungs and a diaphragm, allowing for efficient gas exchange and support during hibernation.

Their digestive system can handle a wide range of food, from plants and berries to large prey, due to a versatile stomach and intestines adapted to both plant and animal matter.

The bear nervous system, including a large brain, is highly developed, allowing for complex behaviours such as problem-solving, memory, and navigation.