The Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The animal gets its name from the characteristic orange-to-cream-colored chest patch. It is also known as the "honey bear", for its love of honeycombs and honey. The most arboreal (tree-living) of all bears, the Sun bear is an excellent climber and often sunbathes or sleeps in trees 2 to 7 meters (7 to 23 feet) above the ground.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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ZoochoryZoochory animals are those that can disperse plant seeds in several ways. Seeds can be transported on the outside of vertebrate animals (mostly mam...
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ScansorialScansorial animals are those that are adapted to or specialized for climbing. Many animals climb not only in tress but also in other habitats, such...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withSun bears are the smallest and one of the rarest bear species. They are stockily built, with large paws, strongly curved claws, small rounded ears, and a short snout. The snout is grey, silver, or orange. The fur is generally jet-black but can vary from grey to red. The hair is silky and fine, and is the shortest of all bear species, suiting their hot tropical habitat. The characteristic chest patch, typically U-shaped but sometimes circular or spotlike, varies from orange or ochre-yellow to buff or cream, or even white. Some individuals may even lack the patch. Sun bears can expose the patch while standing on their hind feet as a threat display against enemies. Infants are greyish black with a pale brown or white snout and the chest patch is dirty white; the coat of older juveniles may be dark brown. The underfur is particularly thick and black in adults, while the guard hairs are lighter. Two whirls occur on the shoulders, from whence the hair radiates in all directions. A crest is seen on the sides of the neck and a whorl occurs in the center of the breast patch. The edges of the paws are tan or brown, and the soles are fur-less, which possibly is an adaptation for climbing trees. The claws are sickle-shaped; the front claws are long and heavy. The tail is only 3-7 cm (1.2-2.8 in) long.
Sun bears are found in the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia ranging from northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam to southern Yunnan Province in China, and on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. Their current distribution in eastern Myanmar and most of Yunnan is unknown. These bears inhabit tropical evergreen forests, and montane forests and may also be found in the mangrove forest. They tend to avoid heavily logged forests and areas close to human settlements. However, they have been seen in farmlands, plantations, and orchards.
Sun bears lead the most arboreal (tree-living) lifestyle among all bears. They are mainly active during the day, though nocturnality might be more common in areas frequented by humans. These adorable bears are excellent climbers; they sunbathe or sleep in trees 2 to 7 meters (7 to 23 feet) above the ground. Their bedding sites consist mainly of fallen hollow logs, but they also rest in standing trees with cavities, in cavities underneath fallen logs or tree roots, and in tree branches high above the ground. Sun bears are also efficient swimmers. They are shy and reclusive animals and usually do not attack humans unless provoked to do so, or if they are injured or with their cubs; their timid nature led these bears to be tamed often and kept as pets in the past. However, other sources state that Sun bears are known as very fierce animals when surprised in the forest. They are typically solitary but are sometimes seen in pairs (such as mothers and cubs). Sun bears do not seem to hibernate, possibly because food resources are available the whole year throughout the range. To communicate with each other they use various vocalizations including grunts and snuffles while foraging for insects, and roars similar to those of a male orangutan during the breeding season; less commonly they may give out short barks (like a rhinoceros) when they are surprised.
Sun bears are omnivores and bees, beehives, and honey are their important food items. They also feed primarily on termites, ants, beetle larvae, bee larvae, and a large variety of fruit species, especially figs when available.
Little is known about the mating system of Sun bears. During the time of mating, these bears show behaviors such as hugging, mock fighting, and head bobbing with their mate. They breed throughout the year. Females give birth to 1 or 2 cubs weighing about 280-325 g (9.9-11.5 oz) each after the gestation period that lasts around 95-174 days. Cubs are born blind and hairless. Initially, they are totally dependent on their mothers and suckle for about 18 months. After 1 to 3 months, the young can run, play, and forage near their mothers. They become independent at 2 years of age and reach reproductive maturity after 3-4 years.
The two major threats to Sun bears are habitat loss and commercial hunting. These threats are not evenly distributed throughout their range. In areas where deforestation is actively occurring, they are mainly threatened by the loss of forest habitat and forest degradation arising from clear-cutting for plantation development, unsustainable logging practices, illegal logging both within and outside protected areas, and forest fires. The main predator of Sun bears throughout their range by far is a man. Commercial poaching of bears for the wildlife trade is a considerable threat in most countries. Sun bears are among the three primary bear species specifically targeted for the bear bile ( a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which is used by some in traditional Chinese medicine) trade in Southeast Asia, and are kept in bear farms in Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Sun bear total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.
Sun bears play an important role in the ecosystem, dispersing seeds and thus sustaining the environment. These bears also control the insect populations that they prey on.
