Are Bears Related to Dogs – What are Bears Most Closely Related To?

Are Bears Related to Dogs?

Are bears related to Humans?

 

Are Bears Related to Dogs – What are Bears Most Closely Related To?

 

Over these many years, I’ve met more than a few Bears in our Northern Appalachian hills.  And long thought that bears and canines (from wolves to our dogs) must be related.

When I did the research, the answers were surprising!

 

Are Bears Related to Dogs?

 

Yes, bears and dogs are related as distant cousins, both belonging to the same suborder, Caniformia (dog-like carnivores) within the order Carnivora.

They share a common ancestor from about 50-60 million years ago. They split into different families (Ursidae for bears, Canidae for dogs) around 40 million years ago. And are not close relatives like wolves and dogs.

Both dogs and bears evolved from ancient, small, weasel-like mammals called Miacids.

Answer: They are relatives, but not closely at all.

 

Then — What are Bears Most Closely Related To?

 

“Bears are most closely related to seals, sea lions, and walruses. All of those belong to the ‘doglike’ carnivoran suborder, Caniformia.”  Seals?  Walruses?

“Other relatives within this suborder include weasels, raccoons, and skunks. Bears and seals share a common ancestor of over 40 million years ago.”

Extinct Relatives

In the past, there was a group of extinct animals known as “bear-dogs” (Amphicyonidae) that had characteristics of both bears and dogs.

 

Are Bears related to Humans?

 

Very distantly.

If you look at the Family tree of Mammals, the branches of Ursidae and Primates are far, far apart.

But in cultural mythology, there is a common belief that Bears and Humans were more closely related than any other species.

This was especially true in Northern cultures.  North American First Peoples and Northern European (including Celtic, Nordic and Germanic) Cultures believed that Humans and Bears were connected by blood.

Some of this belief came from the similarity in the way we both walked.  Humans don’t walk with that rolling gait that all of our closest relatives who are primates do (including our DNA-closest Chimpanzees).  We walk almost flat-footed by landing on our heels and pushing off with our toes.  The only other animal that walks that way is a Bear walking upright or on all fours.

Also, bear skeletons have a remarkable human likeness.

Thus the many stories in Northern cultures dealing with Bear/Human children.  Such as the classic Old English epic poem Beowulf.

Somehow, spiritually, we are related to Bears.

Are Bears Related to Dogs – What are Bears Most Closely Related To?

NOTE: The bear-related quotes above are from AI Overview. The primary sources seem to be Wikipedia and PetsCare.com.

 

For more about the Bear-Human connection, see THE BOY WHO WAS RAISED BY BEARS: Native American Myths & Legends Bear Story.

 

And for more about our ancient relationships with other species, see FACTS ABOUT DOGS: What Was the First Dog on Earth?

 

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