It weighs only 27–65 kg (59–143 pounds) and grows 1–1.2 m (3.3–4 feet) long with a 5-centimetre (2-inch) tail. Sun Bears can be found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, in forests on the mainland (Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) and there are also a few remote populations of Sun Bears in eastern India and southern China. The Sun Bear would have once been found throughout a number of countries in south-east Asia but due to growing Human development, they are now only found in a handful of increasingly isolated habitats. Oddly enough, Sun Bears are primarily diurnal animals that spend the daytime foraging for food and resting high in their tree-top nests at night but, in areas that are being increasingly affected by growing levels of Human activity Sun Bears are known to adopt a more nocturnal way of life to avoid confrontation. Rewilding the endangered Borneo Sun Bear at the only rehab centre dedicated solely to this adorable bear species.

Usually, they scour the forest looking for berries, figs, other varieties of fruits, and insects – especially beetle, termites and ants.

As the Sun Bear spends the majority of its life in the trees, they rely heavily on the rich, dense rainforests that they have become accustomed too, but much of it today has now disappeared with growing Human activity. Did you know? Sun Bear numbers are still declining and although their exact population numbers are unknown, there could be less than 1,000 individuals left in the wild today.

The elusive nature of the Sun Bear makes it difficult for anyone to really know exactly how threatened they are but populations are thought to have fallen by up to 30% in the past few decades. Updates? As a Bear Rehab Volunteer in Borneo, you will work at the world’s only sanctuary dedicated exclusively to the rescue and rehabilitation of Sun Bears: The Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Since modern people arrived in south-east Asia thousands of years ago, Sun Bears have been hunted mainly for the use of certain of their body parts, particularly their gall-bladders, in local Asian medicine markets (which has also been the main reason for the drastic declines in nearly all other bear species too). Its large forepaws bear long, curved claws, which it uses for tearing or digging in its search for insect nests and colonies, particularly those of bees and termites. Unique among its characteristics is that it has two bib-shaped golden patches which are quite visible on its shoulders. Killing of sun bears is strictly prohibited under national wildlife protection laws throughout their range. In some folktales it is said that this shape represents the rising sun. Like the other bear species, Sun Bears are also solitary animals that are only really seen in each others company when a male and female are looking to mate. The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) or Malayan sun bear is the smallest of all bears.It is an Asian subspecies. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/animal/sun-bear, San Diego Zoo - Animals and Plants - Sun Bear. This bear is often referred to as the “honey bear” due to its insatiable appetite for honeycombs and honey. The Sun Bear is a small species of bear that is found inhabiting the dense, tropical forests of south-east Asia. Our Mission is to help save endangered animals and their habitats. The young Sun Bear cubs are nursed and fiercely guarded by their mother and are taught the skills of surviving in the tropics until they become independent of her when they are nearly two years old and leave to establish their own territories. The Sun Bear is the smallest species of bear in the world and it is also one of the most unique, being the only member of its family that has not only adapted to living in the jungle but also leads an exclusively tree-dwelling life. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... “Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!” Quiz. The Malayan Sun bear, or the Sun bear is the smallest member of the bear family.
Absolutely, you will play a crucial role in caring for these wonderful animals. Females are usually able to reproduce themselves when they are three years old and males a year later. However, the biggest problem for the Sun Bear today is the fact that it has lost vast areas of its once extensive natural habitat to deforestation for logging and land clearance for agriculture (most of which is illegal). Even so, it’s high up in the trees is where they excel, using their long, curved claws for climbing with ease and speed, and a long, slender tongue for extracting honey from bee nests. Poachers capture these bears to collect their gall bladder, which contains bile. The Sun Bear is known by a number of different names but its small size, short snout and ears, and short, glossy fur has led it to being commonly known as the "Dog Bear" in local communities. However, Sun Bears are also known to climb trees by actually hugging the trunk with their front limbs and by gripping with their strong teeth they are able to haul themselves up. The internship for this project is Wildlife Communication. Sun bear, also called bruang, honey bear, or Malayan sun bear, smallest member of the family Ursidae, found in Southeast Asian forests. There are rescued Bears at the Java Wildlife Rescue Centre, near Yogjakarta, Indonesia. Due to the relatively large size and tree-dwelling nature of the Sun Bear, adults have relatively few predators in their native environment. They are easily distinguishable by their bib-shaped golden or white patch on their chest. Other light features (often including its muzzle and feet) contrast with its black coat of short, coarse fur. Sun Bear Distribution and Habitat.

The Sun Bear is not only the smallest bear species in the world but it also has the shortest fur. Sun bears are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due mainly to habitat loss from farming and logging, and poaching (both for meat and use in medicines). Hence, their nickname is “honey bear”. These adorable bears are the least studied out of all 8 existing bear species. Sun Bears eat a wide variety of fruits, nuts, berries and shoots along with supplementing their diet with insects, grubs, honey, eggs and small animals such as rodents when plant matter is scarce. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Copyright © 2020 Biodiversity Business All rights reserved

Like many other species, the Sun bear currently faces multiple threats on a regional and national level; habitat loss, population fragmentation, illegal hunting and trading for traditional medicine and delicacies. One of the most remarkable features of the Sun Bear is its long tongue that can be up to 25cm long and is used to extract grubs and honey from nests and crevices. Habitat: Tropical forest, shrublands, artificial/terrestrial, Diet: Fruits, nuts, berries, insects, honey, Average Life-expectancy in the wild: up to 25 years. So you will gain digital skills, as well as learn about Bear Rehabilitation. Big, six-inch-long dragon teeth. These bear bile farms are illegal in most places. Corrections? While habitat destruction is the primary cause of this bear’s decline, poaching is also a serious problem. Sun Bear cubs however, are much more vulnerable and are preyed upon by a variety of jungle predators including Snakes and large Birds of Prey. The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is a species in the family Ursidae occurring in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.It is the smallest bear, standing nearly 70 centimetres (28 inches) at the shoulder and weighing 25–65 kilograms (55–143 pounds). Sun Bears are thought to live for an average of 25 years in the wild but have been known to commonly be more than 30 years old in captivity.

Populations however, are known to be drastically decreasing as Sun Bears are threatened by both hunting and habitat loss throughout much of their natural range. It has an orange-yellow-coloured chest crescent that according to legend represents the rising sun. We do this by supporting local grassroots conservation projects through volunteering and interships. They are therefore also persecuted by farmers who fear for the stability of their crops. They are the smallest of all bears. They also have long, curved claws on their front paws which help the animal to climb trees and break open hollow logs in search of termites, which it is also able to do with its large canines and strong jaw. Generally nocturnal, the tree-climbing sun bear is shy and retiring but quite intelligent. Also known as the Malaysian Sun Bear and the Honey Bear, the Sun Bear has a number of distinctive features most notably the orange U-shaped marking on its chest from which it gets its name.
Despite technically being a classed as a carnivore, the majority of the Sun Bears diet is comprised of fruits and other plant matter that it finds in the surrounding forest. For starters, the shark may […] Read More. Just how impressive was megalodon?

Sun bears are named for the golden patches of fur on their chests, which some people say resemble a rising sun. Hence, their nickname is “honey bear”. The Malayan Sun Bear do not hibernate and can mate all year round. They are therefore incredibly adept at climbing which they can do with remarkable speed using their long, curved claws. The Sun Bear has loose skin particularly around its neck which means that is if is caught by a predator, it is able to still spin its head round to try and bite its attacker. - MalaysianWildlife.org is owned and managed by Biodiversity Business, a non-profit Social Enterprise , Registered in England, Company no: 9759467, JAVA WILDLIFE RESCUE, YOGJAKARTA, INDONESIA.


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