No native bears exist in Australia, which I’ve always found quite disappointing. I know Australia has its fair share of deadly creatures, but for strength and sheer intimidating heft a grizzly or polar bear has to be considered one hell of a predator.

Australians grow up with the knowledge that while Koalas are nicknamed "koala bears," they are actually marsupials and are not biologically related to bears at all. We love telling tourists stories about vicious, carnivorous "drop bears" that leap from trees because as a nation we have a slightly twisted sense of humour.

True bears (the family Ursidae, such as grizzly, brown, black or polar bears) are not found anywhere in the wild in Australia, nor have they ever evolved there. You can only see true bears in Australia by visiting accredited facilities like zoos.

Australia doesn't have native brown bears because the continent separated from the supercontinent Gondwana millions of years before bears evolved. Because of this isolation, placental mammals like bears never crossed over, leaving Australia's ecosystem to be dominated by marsupials (which are completely unrelated to true bears).

The absence of bears comes down to a few key evolutionary and geographical factors:

  • Biogeographical Isolation: True bears evolved in the Northern Hemisphere (Laurasia). By the time bears appeared and spread, Australia had drifted far away, entirely separated by deep ocean waters with no natural land bridges for them to cross. 

  • Marsupial Dominance: Without placental carnivores to compete with, marsupials evolved to fill ecological niches that bears occupy elsewhere. Native Australian predators were entirely marsupial (such as the extinct thylacine or the modern Tasmanian devil).

  • Climate and Habitat: Much of the Australian mainland is too arid and hot for a bear's thick fur and large size. Additionally, the continent lacks the vast rivers and native fish populations (like salmon) that many brown bears rely on to thrive.

If, like me, you're disappointed in the lack of bears in Australia, you can comfort yourself with a cute bear related product from I Dream Of Snow. At least it won't try to eat you.

You can see what’s happening in store on Instagram and Facebook. Come give @spot.sir.spotsalot the dog a pat & a dog treat. 

Cheers, Nyree 

www.idreamofsnow.com

Above Foodworks, turn right through the public seating, head towards the bathrooms & up the short flight of stairs.