The bear has long been used to symbolize both ferocity and affection. Many types of bear exist and lead very varied lives: brown bear, polar bear, giant panda, American black bear, Asiatic black bear, sun bear and spectacled bear are all included in this book. The book starts with fossil bears, the evolution of bears, the history of bears, biology of bears - and goes right through to reproduction and rearing, predatory habits and feeding, the behaviour of individuals and groups, and not least, the relationship of humans to bears and the uncertainty of these beautiful creatures' future in the wild.