Sun Bear

Friday 10 August 2012

 Sun Bear:  The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), also known as the honey bear, is a bear found primarily in the tropical rainforest (the dense lowland forests) in Southeast Asia; North-East India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Southern China, Peninsular Malaysia, and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. The sun bear is 120–150 cm (47–60 in) long, making it the smallest member in the bear family (Ursidae). Males tend to be 10–45% larger than females; the former normally weigh between 30 and 70 kg (66–154 lb), and the latter between 20 and 40 kg (44–88 lb). The shoulder height is about 60–78 cm (24–28 in).

 The sun bear possesses sickle-shaped claws that are relatively light in weight. It has large paws with naked soles, probably to assist in climbing. It has small, round ears and a stout snout. The tail is 1.2–2.8 inches (3–7 cm) long. Despite its small size, the sun bear possesses a very long, slender tongue, ranging from 8 to 10 inches (20–25 cm) in length. The bear uses it to extract honey from beehives. Unlike other bears, the sun bear's fur is short and sleek. This adaptation is probably due to the lowland climates it inhabits. Dark black or brown-black fur covers its body, except on the chest, where there is a pale orange-yellow marking in the shape of a horseshoe.

  Sun Bear
  Sun Bear
  Sun Bear
 Sun Bear

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