Special Facts About Sun Bears

The sun bear is the smallest of eight species. Sun bears are an endangered species, living in parts of Asia. Although small in size, the bear is reputed to be very aggressive when encountered in its natural habitat. The sun bear was named for a crescent-shaped patch of golden colored fur found on its chest.

Geography

The sun bear lives in the rainforests of Southeast Asia and are largely populated in the country of Laos. Other Asian countries such as Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand have habitats that support sun bear populations.

Identification

The typical sun bear is only about half as large as an average American black bear. Adults weigh between 60 and 145 pounds and are no longer than five feet with males typically growing larger than females. Its fur is quite short, black in color and can keep out the rain which is frequent in its environment. The sun bear has smaller ears than other bears but still has acute hearing.

Features

The long claws of a sun bear are very sharp and allow the creature to climb trees with ease. These claws can grow to be four inches long and the bear has bare soles on its feet. The sun bear possesses a narrow tongue that is long, which it uses to get honey from a tree. Sun bears have teeth that are more flattened than other bears.

Diet

In addition to honey, the sun bear eats such things as fruits and sprouts. Classified as an omnivore, meaning it eats both plants and animals, the sun bear largely consumes birds, lizards, rodents, snails, termites, and coconuts.

Behavior

Sun bears are nocturnal in nature, foraging for food at night. Spending much of its time in trees, the sun bear sleeps in the branches of trees during the day. Sun bears have no need to hibernate due to the warm climate that they live in. As a result, they are able to breed all year round. Usually, only one cub is born to a female after about a 95 day gestation period. The babies are weaned off of the mother's milk when they are four but the cubs will stay close to her for up to two years after their birth. Sun bears often travel in pairs, making researchers believe that they mate for life.