Rainforest Animals - Sloth Bear

Name:
Sloth Bear

Scientific Name:
Melursus ursinus

Status:
Vulnerable

Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Genus: Melursus
Species: M. ursinus

General Information:
The sloth bear is the only species in the genus Melursus. It is a nocturnal creature of South Asia. Contrary to the implication of its name, the sloth bear is actually quite fast and can outrun a human being. There are a variety of theories as to where it gets its name, including the idea that early explorers spotted the bears lying upside down in trees, similar to the general appearance of sloths. In the 1700s, it was even classified as being a member of the sloth family, and accordingly named as "bear sloth". It wasn't until the 1800s, when the first live sloth bear arrived in Europe from India, that scientists were able to properly categorize it. Although it can be quite ferocious, leopards, tigers, and wolves are known to predate upon it or its young. Habitat destruction and poaching constitute the primary threat to this species' survival.

Physical Description:
The sloth bear is a relatively small but stocky bear, draped in long, shaggy black fur. The particularly long hair around its neck gives off the image that it has a mane. There is a large white or yellow Y-shaped patch on its chest. Adult sloth bears generally weigh about 176 - 308 lbs for males and 121 - 187 lbs for females. It is generally 4 ft 7 in to 6 ft 3 in in length.

Diet:
Sloth bears are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of foods that include plants, insects, and animals. It has been known to scavenge from tiger kills and even eat cultivated crops. When eating insects, they prefer termites, using their long claws to expose the insects' nests. And, because of their dietary fondness of honey, they have also been called honey bears.

Habitat:
Sloth bears inhabit a diverse array of forests, from dry thorn forests in the north of its range to the wet tropical forests in the south. They are also found in grassland areas. Their range includes areas of Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

Reproduction:
Based on the limited available information, sloth bears appear to mate year-round. The gestation period is about 7 months, after which time the female gives birth to 1 - 3 cubs, with 2 generally being the case.

Article Source: www.paradiseearth.com