Sloth
Bear
Sloth Bear (Species) Sloth
Bears are found in the Indian
subcontinent with a sub-species in Sri Lanka
General Information: Sloth bears are smaller than Himalayan
Black bears. The
body is covered with long black hair with slightly less
hair on the belly and under the legs. A whitish or cream
colored 'V' or 'U' shaped mark adorns the chest. The elongated
nose & muzzle are specially designed to "hoover
up" termites and ants. Sloth Bears can close their
nostrils completely at their own will. The body is slender
and the limbs are designed to climb trees trees as well as to
dig the ground for termites. The sickle shaped claws have
an unmistakable resemblance to the claws of the “Sloth”
which gave the “Sloth bear” its name. Like other bears they
are able to walk on the entire foot like humans.
The ears are visible and the tail is short and hidden in
the long hair. Sloth bear adults can weigh anywhere from
120-310 pounds and measure anywhere from 60-75 inches in
length. The males are larger than the females. The life
span is believed to be about 30 years
Distribution and Habitat: Sloth bears are found only
in the Indian Sub continent and a sub species (Melursus ursinus inornatus) in Sri Lanka.
These bears prefer forested areas, scrub jungles and grasslands,
predominantly at lower elevations. They favor drier forests
and prefer areas with rocky outcrops.
Range: Sloth bears are found in the
Indian sub continent. Once found in many forests across
India, these bears are now
found only in a few scattered habitats.
Diet: Ants and termites come high
on their list of preferences. Nostrils are designed to work as a
vacuum by which these bears suck termites from the
ground. Various species of ants are also eaten by the
bears. They are very famous for raiding honey combs high
on the trees. Fruits such as the mahua and ber are favourites.
Dates, berries, vegetables and flowers are on the diet.
In captivity sloth bears consume fruits such as papaya,
apple, water melon, and pomegranate.
Reproduction: Mating occurs
in May, June and July. The female sloth bear gives birth
to young between November to January. The Mother often selects
rocky dens with small openings for the cubbing. These sites
are called "cubbing dens". Between 2 to 3 cubs
are born and the care is done by the mother bear alone.
The male bear (father) plays no role in the raising of the
cubs. The mother bear carries the cubs on her back till
they are 2 - 3 months old. Male cubs separate from their
mother after a year, while the female cub spends up to two
and a half years with the mother, but seldom does this period
extend beyond three years.
Social life: The sloth bears are
not strict territorial animals. They are observed individually and in groups in their natural habitat. The competition for
foraging is almost absent between the bears and other animals
as the ant eaters are their only competitors for termites
and ants. 
Threats to Sloth
Bear Population: Even though the sloth bears are protected
by international and national laws, they face severe threats
from various angles. The current population in the Indian
sub continent is estimated to be a little over 4000 and
the population is rapidly declining. The most important
threat is the poaching of live bear cubs for
Bear Dancing in India.
The mother bear is often killed while trying to protect
her cubs. The Adults are poached for their body parts such
as gall bladder, bile, claws and genital organs which are
used in traditional Chinese medicine. Habitat destruction
(illegal Quarrying, deforestation and mining, illegal tree
felling etc) is further accelerating the rapid decline of
this species. Shrinking habitat and encroachment by humans
in forest areas has given rise to increasing incidences
of man-bear conflicts in various parts of the country. Wildlife
SOS is working to solve these problem.
