Malayan Sun Bear

scientific name

Helarctos malayanus

size

Weight. male 60-190 lbs. " female ~20% less
Length. ~3.5'
Shoulder Height. 2'
smallest member of bear family

characteristics

Adaptations/Coloration. deep brown to black " most have whitish or orange chest mark & muzzle (hence name "sun bear")
Coat. short & sleek for tropical climate
Feet. disproportionately long curved claws & naked soles for tearing trees apart to get insects
Jaws. disproportionately large to break open hard fruit such as coconuts
Tongue. extraordinarily long to get insects out of logs

behavior

primarily nocturnal
Arboreal. build nests in tree branches to nap & "sunbathe" during day " does not den

reproduction/life span

Life span. wild unknown " captivity 12-24 yrs
Mating. thought to have only 1 mate
Birth. give birth throughout year
Cubs. 10-12 oz " usually 2 " born on ground

diet

omnivore
Wild. fruit, growing tips palm trees, honey, termites, small mammals, birds, & roots
Zoo. omnivore biscuits, carnivore diet, fruit (apples, coconuts, dried fruit, oranges, strawberries, sweet potatoes), raw eggs, & fish

habitat/range

tropical/subtropical forest " southeast Asia (Borneo, Burma, Kampuchea, Laos, Malay Peninsula, South China possibly, Sumatra, & Vietnam)

status

cites App I " due to habitat destruction " serious threat is Asian pet trade " also different parts are believed to be potent medicines, especially gallbladders

other

a.k.a. "honey bear" due to love of honey " rip into bees' nest " seemingly oblivious to stings " eats bees along with honey " lot of pressure on wild populations of American Black Bears, Asiatic Black Bears, Sloth Bears, & Malayan Sun Bears from trade in bear parts for markets in Japan, China, & rest of Asia

oregon zoo exhibit

Bears