Details for Sun Bear

• Sun Bear

  The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is the smallest bear species, native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is named for the distinctive golden or orange crescent-shaped patch on its chest, resembling a rising sun. Sun bears have short, sleek black fur, a long tongue, and long claws for climbing trees and extracting honey and insects. They typically weigh 25-65 kg (55-143 lbs). Sun bears are omnivores, feeding on fruits, insects, small vertebrates, and especially honey. They are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching for traditional medicine.

  

  Habitat: The Sun Bear lives in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Brunei, China, Laos, Myanmar.