PlaceBear
Animals
Placeholder bear pictures
Placeholder bear photos for wireframes and prototypes.
Auth
No Auth
HTTPS
Yes
CORS
Yes
API URL
Common Use Cases
- •Display random animal images and facts in web or mobile applications
- •Build educational content for biology and nature platforms
- •Add engaging pet-related features to social apps
Integration Guide
Review the API Documentation
Visit the official PlaceBear documentation to understand available endpoints, request formats, and response structures. Familiarize yourself with the API's rate limits and usage policies before integration.
No Authentication Required
Good news — PlaceBear does not require any authentication. You can start making API requests directly without registering for an API key or setting up OAuth credentials.
Use HTTPS for Secure Requests
PlaceBear supports HTTPS, ensuring encrypted communication. Always use HTTPS endpoints in production to protect data in transit and comply with modern web security standards.
CORS Enabled — Direct Browser Access
PlaceBear has CORS enabled, meaning you can make requests directly from the browser. This is ideal for frontend-only applications built with React, Vue, or vanilla JavaScript.
Implement and Test
Write your API integration code, start with a simple test request to verify connectivity. Implement proper error handling for network failures, rate limits, and invalid responses. Monitor your API usage to stay within any limits.
Code Examples
JavaScript / Fetch API:
// JavaScript example
fetch("https://placebear.com/")
.then(response => {
if (!response.ok) {
throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`);
}
return response.json();
})
.then(data => {
console.log("API response:", data);
})
.catch(error => {
console.error("Error fetching from PlaceBear:", error);
});Python / Requests:
# Python example
import requests
response = requests.get("https://placebear.com/")
if response.status_code == 200:
data = response.json()
print("API response:", data)
else:
print(f"Error: {response.status_code}")Frequently Asked Questions
Is PlaceBear free to use?
Do I need an API key for PlaceBear?
Can I use PlaceBear in a browser-based application?
What category does PlaceBear belong to?
Is PlaceBear secure?
Editor's Notes & Deep Dive
Key Features
- →GET /{width}/{height} returns a bear photo of that exact size
- →GET /{width}/{height}?grayscale returns a desaturated version
- →Images are served from a static CDN — no JSON, no key
Rate Limits & Quotas
No published limit; static image hosting.
Known Issues & Pitfalls
- !The photo pool is small (~20 bears); you will see repeats in grids
- !No tag or category filtering — you get whatever bear the server picks
How It Compares
Like placekitten and placedog but with bears. All three have the same URL shape and can be swapped freely.
Sample Response
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Content-Type: image/jpeg
<binary JPEG, e.g. 600x400 bear photo>Pro Tips
- ✓Use directly in <img src="https://placebear.com/640/360"> — no fetch needed