Top 10 Interesting Facts About Sun Bears

Sun bears are considered the smallest bear species today. Adult sun bears typically stand between 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall and weigh ranging from 25 to 65 kg. Their tails are 3 to 7 cm long. Sun bears have dense, dark black fur with a distinctive yellowish-orange crescent-shaped patch on their chests. Their long tongue, about 20 to 25 cm, aids in consuming termites, ants, and honey from deep crevices. Sun bears have small, round ears that rarely move. They possess a short snout, large paws, and curved sharp claws.

Descriptive Information:

• Common Name: Sun Bear
• Scientific Name: Helarctos malayanus
• Class: Mammals
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Ursidae
• Distribution: Tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia
• Size: Height approximately 1.2 to 1.5 meters
• Weight: Not exceeding 65 kg.
• Lifespan: Sun bears can live over 30 years in captivity. In the wild, it's estimated they can live an average of 25 years.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Similar to dog and bear species today, the sun bear is of considerable size. It may weigh only a few pounds at birth or reach up to 150 kg when fully grown. It is believed that the early evolution of the sun bear was very small, only about the size of a Chihuahua dog (one of the smallest dog breeds in the world). As it continued to evolve, its size seemed to increase, according to the Field Museum in Chicago.

As it evolved into a large species, there are both advantages and disadvantages. While a larger body size allows them to hunt larger prey and access higher food chains, they also need more food and reproduce more slowly.

The sun bear has a length of about 1.2 m, a height of about 0.7 m—making it the smallest bear species. It has a short tail, about 3–7 cm, and weighs on average less than 65 kg. Male sun bears are slightly heavier than females.

Generally, its physique is quite plump and round. It has dense, black/brown fur covering its entire body, short and sleek. No mane around the neck, bright yellow fur near the nose, and a swirl of fur on the forehead. There is a dark yellow, crescent-shaped fur patch on the chest for identification. The head is large, with a high forehead, layered facial skin, large and protruding eyes.

The snout is dog-like with an exceptionally long tongue, reaching up to 20-25 cm. This allows it to extract small prey from deep burrows that other animals can't reach. Small, symmetrical, round ears that are rarely seen moving. Large paws with sharp, elongated claws, much longer than others in its family.

The bare soles of the feet aid in excellent climbing, and it has a long tail, usually 3-7 cm. However, the tail appears to be covered by fur, making it challenging to see. Upon close observation, their gait seems bow-legged due to the inward turn of their feet. Walking on its soles, the hind legs resemble those of a baby if you look at the footprints.

Despite being the smallest, the strength in their paws can make opponents collapse on the spot. They sometimes damage trees or coconut trees because they spend most of their time in the trees. Some high cassava or coconut plantations are mercilessly destroyed by them.

The sun bear can be active both day and night, but its habitat is significantly affected by human activities. Hence, it tends to be more active during the night to avoid potential threats.

They typically lead a solitary life. The only time they form groups is during mating season and when caring for their cubs. They gather around food sources and share with each other during cub feeding. Sun bears spend their days resting under freshly split logs, in caves, or on a bed made of plant material.

They are agile climbers and are quick on their feet. Sun bears do not hibernate due to the availability of food throughout the year.

Their claws are in a crescent shape, relatively lightweight. They have large paws with bare soles, likely aiding in climbing. The inward orientation of their legs gives them a bow-legged appearance, but they are adept climbers.

Sun bears predominantly inhabit the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, spanning countries such as Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Their habitat faces extensive fragmentation due to deforestation. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, their population has declined by over 30% in the past 30 years.

The first appearance of sun bears on the Asian continent dates back to the Eocene and Oligocene epochs (55.8 million to 23 million years ago). This period witnessed a warm climate and lush vegetation. During the Eocene, the global temperature was around 30°C (86°F), as noted by the Museum of Paleontology at the University of California.

Despite a cooling trend in the Oligocene, the climate remained relatively warm, supporting thriving vegetation worldwide, including North America and Africa. Sun bears became extinct 5 to 10 million years ago.

Sun bears are solitary animals, only forming groups during the mating season. They search for mates, forage, care for offspring, and share food.

Starting reproduction at 3-4 years, they begin without a specific time, capable of giving birth throughout the year. Normally birthing two cubs, each weighing around 280 - 340 grams. The gestation period lasts about 96 days, with cubs nursing for about 18 months. Sun bears reach maturity in 3-4 years and can live up to 28 years in captivity.

Reaching reproductive maturity at 3-4 years, sun bears can mate at any time of the year. Females often construct birthing dens under tree roots or in hollow caves. Newborn sun bear cubs are born hairless, blind, and weigh about 280 grams. Their eyes open after approximately 30 days. Cubs stay with their mothers for 18 months.

Sun bears have small litters, usually giving birth to only 2 cubs, occasionally 4. Mother sun bears teach their cubs to forage and hunt during their 1.5 years of cohabitation.

Sun bears primarily consume natural fruits, seeds, and the meat of various available animals. They also eat insects, palm fruits, figs, bananas, honey, and bird eggs found in nests or catch fish in streams. Their favorite food is honey, and they are willing to climb tall trees or swing to bee nests to get it, despite the risk of bee stings. Although strong and clever, even the sun bear's head cannot withstand the bees. Nevertheless, they never give up their favorite food.

Considered omnivores, in captivity, they eat a variety of foods, including human food. Most primary forests, evergreen forests, or limestone mountains can provide sufficient food for them.

Despite their bulky appearance, they are incredibly lively, agile, and clever. They can swim, catch fish, climb trees, and are fond of water, bathing, and sleeping in tree hollows or on branches. They are not tied to a specific tree but consider any place their home, often staying in branches 2-7 meters high. In the past, they were active day and night, but due to human influence, they have become less active during the day.

The giant sun bear guides its cubs on a journey of exploration, teaching essential life skills. When the bear cubs are truly tired, demanding to be carried, the mother bear is willing to carry them on her back, easing their fatigue.

Leading the cubs to visit animals everywhere, broadening their horizons, is one of the most beautiful times for the mother bear and her offspring. Throughout the significant and maturing journey of the bear cubs, the mother bear strives to take them to beautiful places, helping them appreciate life and the enchanting wilderness.

Teaching the cubs to forage, imparting survival skills so they can thrive independently when the mother is absent, is crucial in the sun bear's parenting process. The mother bear is extremely strict in this aspect because only through strictness can the bear cubs avoid dependency and live well when they grow up, away from their mother.

Similar to hunting and foraging, the giant sun bear is compelled to teach its cubs essential survival skills like swimming. The cubs are initially hesitant, fearful, and reluctant to enter the water. However, following the mother's command, the bear cubs must enter the water and learn. Only when exhausted and unable to persist any longer does the mother bear agree to carry the group of cubs across the river.

How does the sun bear walk?

The sun bear boasts strong legs and large claws. It strides simultaneously on its two right legs, alternating with steps on its two left legs. This species can move at a maximum speed of 55 km/h when climbing hills. When descending, it slows down due to the longer hind legs.

The small sun bears walk somewhat clumsily, placing their feet outward with the heel and inner toes. This is also due to their substantial weight. Adult bears find climbing trees challenging. Hence, only young bears are often seen climbing. Interestingly, they can even sleep on trees.

One remarkable feature is their ability to walk silently while hunting. This gentleness ensures that their prey remains unaware of the presence of this giant creature.

Sun bears face two main threats: habitat loss and commercial hunting. These threats are not evenly distributed across their range. In areas prone to deforestation, they are primarily threatened by forest loss and degradation caused by logging, unsustainable development, illegal logging, and wildfires.

Commercial hunting is a significant threat in many countries. Investigations in Kalimantan from 1994 to 1997 revealed that locals admitted to hunting sun bears for meat in certain areas. Additionally, bear bile is a sought-after commodity, leading to a substantial decline in sun bear populations in places where they are kept for bile extraction.

Sun bears are one of the three main bear species targeted for bile trade in Southeast Asia, and they are raised on bear farms in Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar.