Himalayan black bear

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/himalayan-black-bear

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Ursus thibetanus laniger
2. What is the habitat?Montane forests and temperate woodlands of the Himalayan region
3. Where does the Himalayan black bear live?It lives in the forests of the Himalayan mountain range, in many countries, and it needs good forest cover and food to stay healthy.
4. Why is the Himalayan black bear important for the forest?Because it is a keystone species, its presence shows that the forest is healthy. It also spreads seeds by eating fruits and moving them around, helping plants grow.

Subspecies: A taxonomic category that ranks below species, representing a geographically or morphologically distinct population.
Omnivore: An organism that feeds on both plants and animals, exhibiting a flexible dietary strategy.
Hibernation: A physiological state of dormancy characterized by reduced metabolic rate, body temperature, and activity, typically occurring during winter.
Keystone Species: A species whose impact on its ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to its abundance, playing a critical role in maintaining ecological structure.