Bears have a wide variety of subspecies, though there are only eight main species of bears still around today. We've rounded up some interesting facts about the world's eight species of bears, each one more unique than the last. But these bears are different from what you know.

Brown Bear: The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is, unsurprisingly, known for its brown fur, but there are several different subspecies that can range from cream-colored to almost black. As the most widely distributed bear on Earth, brown bears live in North America, Europe, and Asia, in a variety of habitats like deserts, high forests, and snowy mountains. They are extremely strong and boast high endurance, often digging their own dens before spending the months from October to December in a deep sleep. This period of inactivity, which isn't true hibernation, varies depending on the location and weather, and in some areas may be shorter in length or not happen at all.

Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus): Sun bears are the smallest of the bear species and also the least studied bear in the world. The second rarest bear species (following the giant panda), the sun bear only occurs in the tropical lowland forests of Southeast Asia. These elusive animals get their names from the horseshoe shape on their chests, believed to resemble the setting or rising sun, no two of which are the same. Their 8- to 10-inch-long tongues help them siphon honey from bee hives, which helped them earn their nickname "honey bear," but they also eat invertebrates and fruit.

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus): The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for. Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with an estimated 22,000 to 31,000 left on Earth. Found around the Arctic Ocean on sea ice or adjacent coastal areas, it's no surprise that the Latin name translates to "sea bear." These massive bears are known for their translucent water-repellent fur (though the skin underneath is actually jet black) and for being the largest bear in the world. The females typically weigh between 300 to 700 pounds, but the males can range anywhere from 800 to 1,300 lbs, making them the top predator in the Arctic.

Giant Panda Bear: Wild panda bears are found in the forests of southwest China, primarily in the Yangtze Basin region, with just 1,864 left at last estimate, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Unlike most of its fellow species, pandas live almost entirely on plants — bamboo to be exact — wolfing down around 26 to 84 pounds of it per day. With such a specific diet, pandas are especially susceptible to habitat loss, so development regulation and protected reserve establishment is paramount for their survival. The good news for these black and white beauties is that wild panda numbers are finally on the rebound after years of decline, prompting the IUCN to change its status from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2016.

American Black Bear: American black bears (Ursus americanus) are found throughout most of North America, including Alaska and Canada, and as far south as northern Mexico. Thanks to their versatile diets, these bears have the ability to live in a variety of different habitats, their short claws enabling them to climb trees to find a variety of foods.

Asiatic Black Bear: The medium-sized, dark-colored Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is known for its white v-shaped patch on its chest and large ears (larger than the American black bear). Found in forested areas throughout southern Asia, especially India, Nepal, and Bhutan, they've also been reported in parts of Russia, Taiwan, and Japan. They love high altitude habitats, sometimes as high as 9,900 feet, but are known to descend to lower elevations in the wintertime.

Sloth Bear: Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) are mostly found in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan in forested areas and grasslands, though they used to be more common in India and Sri Lanka. They have long, shaggy black coats, an adaptation believed to indicate susceptibility to cold stress, and long snouts that have been compared to those of anteaters. Females weigh between 120 and 200 pounds, while the males are much larger, typically between 176 and 300 pounds.

Spectacled Bear: The only species of bear native to South America, the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) enjoys the mountainous regions of the Andes in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Bolivia, and have even been observed at elevations of 12,000 feet. Researchers believe that spectacled bears travel between different types of habitats throughout the year depending on the season, though the timing and drive for these migrations remain unknown. Despite being considered a medium-sized bear, they are one of the largest mammals in South America. Usually black or dark reddish in color, the name "spectacled" comes from the white or tan markings around their eyes. With the exception of the giant panda, spectacled bears are the most herbivorous of the bear species.