Sloth Bears

Sloth bear is a bear that dwells in the forests of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It is one among the 8 bear species in the world. It was named so by a European zoologist George Shaw, who misunderstood it to be more sloth-like than a bear. The sloth bear resembles the Asiatic Black Bear in appearance, and it was due to this that many people did not notice its disappearance for a good while. Today, the Sloth Bear has been classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.

Physical Characteristics

The Sloth Bear is a medium sized with long, shaggy fur that is dark brown to black in color and a white patch of fur on its neck which looks like the letters V or Y. The bears can grow up to 5 to 6 ft. in length and weigh between 90 to 140 kgs. The adult sloth bears do not have the top teeth in the front, which is an advantage considering their diet. They also have nostrils that close completely which is helpful when they are raiding termite nests. Due to the nature of their diet, they have premolars and molars that are smaller in size as compared to other bears.

Habitat and Distribution

Sloth bears are found in the countries of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Although they are native to the countries of Bangladesh and Bhutan too, sloth bears are currently considered to be extinct there. For survival, they prefer both dry and moist deciduous forests and grasslands of South Asia.

Diet and Hunting

Sloth bears are omnivorous which means they consume both vegetation and meat. They eat fruit and fish but majorly enjoy ants and termites. They use their long and sharp claws to dig into termite nests. Thanks to their thick fur which protects them from getting bitten by the insects. Their missing front teeth act as a vacuum which helps them suck in the termites. While they are inside the termite nest, they can close their nostrils completely to prevent the insects from entering into their noses. The sloth bears can even climb trees to collect honey from the honeycombs.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Sloth Bears breed from late spring to early summer and give birth to a litter of 1 to 2 cubs with a gestation period of 6 to 7 months. The cubs are not able to see at birth and open their eyes at about 2 to 3 weeks old. Female sloth bears give birth in a den, after which the cubs stay with their mother for 2 years. The cubs live by clinging onto their mother’s back till 6 to 9 months old. Here is where the shaggy fur comes to help. The fur gives the babies something to grab onto when they are being carried on her back. The cubs of the sloth bears display high infant mortality rates with half of them not making it till maturity.

Sloth bears live up to 20 to 25 years in the wild and 40 years in captivity.

Behavior and Social Structure

Unlike other bears, sloth bears do not hibernate and often sleep in caves and near rivers. Their sleeping patterns depend on their environment which make them either nocturnal or diurnal, but they tend to stay active for 8 to 14 hours a day. They are solitary but noisy animals who grunt and snort as they look around for food from trees and dig out termite nests. When threatened they stand on their hind legs and scare the enemy with their long claws. Their canines are used for combat against tigers and other predators like jackals, wild dogs, wolves, and leopards.

Conservation Efforts

The sloth bears are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN under its Red list, but its population is declining due to habitat loss and forest degradation. The sloth bears are also a prized possession for poachers who value them for their organs and other body parts which are used for medicinal purposes.

Apart from these, the sloth bears have also been victims to the barbarian practice of ‘dancing bear’ shows, where the sloth bears would be tortured and put on display for a public spectacle.

The Wildlife SOS organization has worked for the cause of eradicating this cruel practice of the dancing bear tradition over the years with the help of International Animal Rescue, One Voice, and Free the Bears, along with the Indian government.

Amazing Facts about Sloth Bears

• Unlike other bears, the sloth does not go into hibernation.
• The sloth bear got its name not from its behavior or even characteristics but rather due to an observation by a zoologist who deemed it fit to be a sloth rather than a bear due to its appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are Sloth bears different from the Asiatic Black Bear?

Sloth bears are different from Asiatic Black Bears, and you can see them with a difference in their fur. Sloth bears tend to have rougher and longer fur as compared to the smoother and “groomed” fur of the Black Bears, have longer claws and a longer snot unlike the Black Bears.

Where can I see sloth bears in India?

The sloth bears can be found in the following protected areas:

• Ranthambore National Park
• Kanha National Park
• Kaziranga National Park
• Sariska Tiger Reserve
• Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Are Sloth bears an endangered species?

The sloth bears are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN under its Red list but its population is declining due to habitat loss and forest degradation.

Are Sloth bears related to sloths?

No, they are not related to sloths but are a species of bear.

What do Sloth bears eat?

Sloth bears are omnivorous which means they consume both vegetation and meat. They eat fruit and fish but majorly enjoy ants and termites.

Are Sloth bears nocturnal or diurnal?

Their sleeping patterns depend on their environment which makes them either nocturnal or diurnal, but they tend to stay active for 8 to 14 hours a day.