Sun Bear (redirected from Helarctos malayanus)

sun bear

 or honey bear

Smallest member (Helarctos malayanus) of the bear family (Ursidae), found in South Asian forests. Nocturnal and tree-climbing, the sun bear weighs 60–140 lbs (27–64 kg) and is 3–4 ft (1–1.2 m) long, with a 2-in. (5-cm) tail, large forepaws, and short black fur with an orange-yellow crescent on the chest. It uses its long, curved claws to tear or dig for insect nests, particularly those of bees and termites. It also eats fruit, honey, and small vertebrates. The sun bear is shy and intelligent; legends say that its chest crescent represents the sun.

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Sun Bear 

(Ursus, or Helarctos, malayanus), a mammal of the family Ursidae. The skull is short and broad, the canine teeth are small, and the cheek teeth are small and flattened. Body length, about 120-130 cm; height at the shoulders, 50-70 cm; weight, 60-80 kg. The fur is short, stiff, and black. The muzzle is yellowish, and there is a yellow breast mark in the shape of a horseshoe. The sun bear inhabits the valleys and mountain forests of South-east Asia (Indochina, the Malay Archipelago, possibly southern China). It feeds mainly on the shoots, rhizomes, and fruits of plants.