Bear

The sources do not give a mythological origin for a supernatural bear-being. Linguistically, the English word 'bear' comes from Old English bera and the Germanic term arose as a taboo-avoidance euphemism replacing an older word (arkto) — a cultural-linguistic development recorded in etymological sources rather than a mythic creation narrative.

Bears are large-bodied mammals with stocky legs, long snouts, small rounded ears, shaggy hair, plantigrade paws with five nonretractile claws, and short tails. Species vary in size, coat color, and diet (for example, the polar bear is primarily carnivorous and the giant panda is mostly herbivorous).

As animals, bears possess keen senses (notably an excellent sense of smell) and physical capabilities including running, climbing, and swimming. Many species are solitary except during mating or when mothers rear young. Several species use sheltered dens and undergo long winter torpor or hibernation periods, in some cases up to about 100 days.