In this week's episode of "Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan," Dominic ventures to Bolivia in search of South America's largest land animal, the Andean or Spectacled bear.
As the continent's only bear species, their habitats rage across the Andes Mountains, from western Venezuela south to Bolivia. Here the bears primarily feast on fruits and flowering plants; however, those that live near settlements are known to raid corn fields.
A typical Andean bear grows to five to six feet long, standing two to three feet high at the shoulders, and weighs as much as 340 pounds.
Andean, or Spectacled, bears are characterized by whitish, cream "spectacles" or rings around their eyes. While most of their body is either dark brown or black, the lighter colored fur from on their faces can stretch down to the throat and chest areas, giving each individual a unique coat.
The intrepid Dominic also stops through the Uyuni salt flats, a former mining area that's now littered with abandoned shipping trains, stumbles upon a flamingo lake at the edge of a volcano, and winds up in an all-female wrestling match in La Paz, Bolivia.
This exciting episode airs tonight on the Travel Channel, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Related Articles
'Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan' Star Says Leave Comfort Zone [INTERVIEW][VIDEO]
For more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
-Follow Samantha on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13