Fauna
Mammal

Sloth Bear

Melursus ursinus

Also known as Indian Bear, Labiliated Bear, Stickney Bear

Sloth bears feature shaggy black fur, long pale claws, and specialized hairless lips that form a tube to vacuum up thousands of termites in a single breath. Mothers carry their tiny cubs on their backs while foraging, a unique habit among Asian bear species that helps protect young from tigers and leopards. Due to poor eyesight and hearing, these powerful mammals rely on a keen sense of smell and can become fiercely defensive when startled at close range.

NocturnalMyrmecophagousMammal
Sloth Bear reference1 / 7
(c) Aadishbahulikar18, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyTermites, Ants, Wild Fruits
Predators
  • Bengal Tiger
  • Indian Leopard
ThreatsHabitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching
HabitatsTropical dry forests, scrublands, and grasslands
Life span20–25 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyUrsidae
  2. SpeciesMelursus ursinus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Highly defensive and easily startled; maintain a distance of at least 50 meters at all times.
Why it is dangerous
Poor eyesight and hearing make them prone to startling and launching swift, severe defensive attacks against people.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a shaggy black coat, long whitish claws, flexible snout, and a pale V-shaped chest mark.
What to do
If encountered on foot, avoid sudden movements, speak in a calm voice, and slowly back away without running.
What to notice
Recognizable by termite-digging signs along forest trails and loud vacuum-like sucking sounds while feeding.
Support conservation
Report sightings to forestry personnel and refrain from broadcasting real-time GPS locations.
Responsible observation
  • Maintain Distance: Observe from a safari vehicle or a distance of at least 50 meters.
  • Avoid Startling: Make mild noise when walking through dense scrubland to prevent close encounters.
  • Never Corner: Always leave an open exit route so the animal does not feel trapped.
Related species
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