Here's a breakdown of their evolutionary relationships:
* Family Ursidae: This is the family that includes all eight species of bears currently living.
* Suborder Caniformia: This suborder includes bears, dogs, seals, and other carnivorans.
* Order Carnivora: This order includes all carnivores, including bears, cats, weasels, and seals.
Close Relatives:
* Pinnipeds: Seals, sea lions, and walruses are the closest living relatives to bears.
* Mustelids: Weasels, otters, badgers, and wolverines are also relatively closely related to bears.
Distant Relatives:
* Felids: Cats are more distantly related to bears.
* Canids: Dogs are even more distantly related to bears, despite being in the same suborder.
It's important to note that evolutionary relationships are complex and constantly being revised with new scientific discoveries. However, this provides a general overview of how bears are connected to other animals.