| Latin Name: | Helarctos malaynus |
| Category: | Mammals |
| Fun Facts: |
- The sun bear is the world’s smallest bear! Its head and body length can be from three to 4 1/2 feet long, and its stands just over two feet tall at the shoulder. The sun bear can weigh between 60 and 145 pounds.
- The sun bear has many nicknames translated from other languages, including “dog bear,” “honey bear,” and “he who likes to sit high.”
- Some sun bears do not have the “sun” on their chests; they are black all over.
- A sun bear can live in captivity for
 up to 25 years.
- Sun bears are pigeon-toed on all four feet!
- The bottom of the sun bear’s feet are hairless. This, and its long claws, help it to be an awesome tree climber.
- Because it lives in a warm, tropical climate where it can get food all year round, the sun bear does not hibernate like many other kinds of bears do.
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| Information: |
Though it likes to snooze in the sun during the day, the sun bear is actually named for the white to orange U-shaped patch on its chest. The bear uses its excellent climbing skills to find a spot in a tree to sleep. Being up high—anywhere from six to more than 20 feet above ground—helps it stay safe from predators like tigers while it rests. Another adaptation that helps the sun bear fend off predators is the loose skin around its neck. If a tiger were to bite the sun bear by the neck, the extra skin allows the sun bear to still fully turn its head and bite back!
At night, the sun bear becomes active, using its strong sense of smell to find food. As an omnivore, the sun bear will eat all kinds of things: termites and other insects, fruit, small rodents, and birds. Nicknamed the “honey bear,” it will also use its four-to-six-inch-long claws to break open the nests of bees and its very long tongue to slurp up their honey.
The survival of sun bears is threatened in many ways. Deforestation is causing them to lose their homes. With not enough food to eat as their habitat becomes smaller, they begin to eat crops like coconuts and bananas. Farmers then consider them pests and kill them to keep them from destroying the crops. Sun bears are also killed to make different medicines that are part of the Asian tradition or captured as cubs to be sold as pets.
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| Habitat: |
Located in the Asia Quest Region. The sun bears can be viewed either indoors or out, depending upon the weather. Their indoor exhibit is located in the Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment building. The mischievous bears have found their way into a palm oil plant and must take care! All too often sun bears and other animals eat the tips of young oil palm trees and come into conflict with farmers. Their outdoor exhibit is located just beyond the Asia Quest Market Plaza.
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