 Lava bear specimen exhibited in 1917 | |
| Grouping | Legendary creature |
|---|---|
| Sub grouping | Undersized variation of known species (Ursus americanus) |
| Similar entities | American black bear |
| First attested | 1917 |
| Other name(s) | Sand lapper and dwarf grizzly |
| Country | United States |
| Region | South central Oregon |
| Details | Found in high desert lava beds |
The lava bear (also known as sand lapper, dwarf grizzly, and North American sun bear) is a variety of American black bear (Ursus americanus) found in the lava beds of south central Oregon. The animal was described as a very small bear with wooly light brown fur. The few lava bears that were killed or captured were a little larger than a badger. It was once thought to be a separate species. However, scientists who examined the specimens determined that the animals were stunted due to the harsh environment in which they lived. Today, it is acknowledged that lava bears never existed as a unique species.