A sloth bear, also called melursus ursinus, is not a sloth. It got its name because people would mistake it for one, and it’s easy to see why. The sloth bears’ long claws and shaggy hair could easily be mistaken for that of a true sloth. They also have a “V” or “Y” shaped mark along their chests and can live up to 25 years in the wild (40 in captivity). Their tails measure 2.7 to 4.7 inches (7.-12 inches) while the rest of their body can grow anywhere from 4.5 to 6 feet (1.4 to 1.8 meters) in length. Their weight is also impressive with lighter females weighing 120 pounds (55 kilograms) and the heavier males reaching 310 pounds (140 kilograms).
Most sloth bears can be found in India and Sri Lanka while others live in southern Nepal. There have even been reports of them being spotted in Bhutan and Bangladesh. They will live in a variety of places such as wet and dry forests as well as grasslands where scattered shrubs, trees and boulders provide shelter. A sloth bear is a solitary creature and a male’s territory can range 8 miles (13 kilometers). While this is a small home range for a bear, it is understandable as they do not have to travel far for food. In fact, territories often overlap and there are not too many conflicts. Being nocturnal, they will rest during the day and hunt when nightfall comes.
A sloth bear will eat a variety of things like ants, termites, fruits, eggs, berries, carcasses, small vertebrates, honey and even bees. They will sometimes climb trees to knock down a honey comb and eat it on the ground. Sloth bears find their food using their sense of smell. When dining on ants or termites, they will tear open the nests with their claws and will then proceed to suck up the contents like a vacuum. They will close their nostrils while doing so to ensure nothing enters and causes harm.
The hot season (May, June and July) is also mating season for the sloth bear. After mating takes place, the mother will carry her young for 6-7 months, at which time she will give birth to a litter of 2 cubs in her underground den. Sloth bear cubs will remain in the den for 2-3 months before they start to travel with their mother. They will remain close to her and sometimes even hitch a ride on her back for another 6 months. After about 2 to 3 years, a sloth bear is ready to go out and be on its own.
Sloth bears are considered a vulnerable species with habitat loss being their greatest threat. Some however, are hunted due to their aggressive behavior or because they destroy crops. Some are even captured in order to be used in performances. With a little effort, a solution can surely be found. After all, a creature as unique as the sloth bear deserves to be treated with respect.
