[63], During surveys in Kalimantan between 1994 and 1997, interviewees admitted to hunting sun bears and indicated that sun bear meat is eaten by indigenous people in several areas in Kalimantan. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. It weighs only 27–65 kg (59–143 pounds) and grows 1–1.2 m (3.3–4 feet) long with a 5-centimetre (2-inch) tail. [10] In 1825, American naturalist Thomas Horsfield placed the species in a genus of its own, Helarctos. Thailand is home to two species of bear, the Asian Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) also known as the Moon Bear, and the Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) also known as Honey Bear.That seems easy enough! The hair is silky and fine, and is the shortest of all bear species, suiting their hot tropical habitat. Helarctos Scientific Name Helarctos malayanus Sun Bear Conservation Status. Species name: Helarctos malayanus The Sun Bear ( Ursus malayanus ), sometimes known as the Honey Bear, is a bear found primarily in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. [57][58] A survey in Lower Kinabatagan (Malaysia) published in 2017 showed that sun bears were feared but were not common in oil palm plantations; bearded pigs, elephants and macaques were far more damaging to crops. Bedding sites consist mainly of fallen hollow logs, but they also rest in standing trees with cavities, in cavities underneath fallen logs or tree roots, and in tree branches high above the ground. Also called honey bear, Malayan sun bear. [1] Population densities vary from 4.3 and 5.9 individuals per 100 km2 (39 sq mi) in Khao Yai National Park (Thailand) to 26 individuals per 100 km2 (39 sq mi) in the Harapan Rainforest in southern Sumatra. They are typically found at low altitudes, such as below 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in western Thailand and peninsular Malaysia. Sun bear populations appear to decrease in size northward from Sundaland, and numbers are especially low in the northern and western extremes of the range. The most arboreal (tree-living) of all bears, the sun bear is an excellent climber and sunbathes or sleeps in trees 2 to 7 metres (7 to 23 feet) above the ground. [1][26] Fossil remains suggest their occurrence farther north in the Pleistocene; sun bears may have occurred as far south as Java (Indonesia) in the middle to late Pleistocene. Sun bears grow to only about half the size of an American black bear. sun bear n a small bear, Helarctos malayanus, of tropical forests in S and SE Asia, having a black coat and a yellowish snout and feeding mostly on honey and insects, (Also called) honey bear Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Omissions? 34. an act of holding fast with the hand or other physical means; grasp; grip: a good hold on the rope. The bear species most commonly farmed for bile is the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), although the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), brown bear (Ursus arctos) and every other species are also used (the only exception being the Giant Panda which does not produce UDCA). [From the resemblance of the chest marking to an image of the rising or setting sun.] What does it eat? Traduzioni ipotizzate. It is easily tamed. In its natural habitat, it is an opportunistic omnivore. The ~ (Helarctos malayanus) is the smallest bear, weighing 27 to 65 kg (60 to 145 lbs). It has a small head and short neck, and fine short glossy fur, mostly black, but brownish on the nose. @omegawiki. [3][27] The characteristic chest patch, typically U-shaped but sometimes circular or spotlike, varies from orange or ochre-yellow to buff or cream, or even white. Its large forepaws bear long, curved claws, which it uses for tearing or digging in its search for insect nests and colonies, particularly those of bees and termites. orso del sole en A bear of the species Helarctos malayanus. [3][27] They are typically solitary but are sometimes seen in pairs (such as mothers and cubs). Poaching is common in several countries in the region. Helarctos malayanus (sun bear) Geographic Range Helarctos malayanus ranges from the eastern Himalayas to Sze-Chwan in China, then southward throughout Burma, parts of Indo-China and Malaya. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 2 Either of two Asian bears, the sloth bear, Melursus ursinus, and the sun bear, Helarctos malayanus. There was evidence of pet trade and sale of sun bear parts such as gall bladders in traditional Chinese medicine shops in Sabah and Sarawak. [8][37] Sun bears stand on their hindfeet for a broader view of their surroundings or smell far-off objects; they try to intimidate their enemies by displaying the chest patch if threatened. Its unique morphology—inward-turned front feet, flattened chest, powerful forelimbs with large claws—suggests adaptations for climbing. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. It is the smallest species of bear. Subspecies: H. malayanus, H. euryspilus. a small bear, Helarctos malayanus, of tropical forests in S and SE Asia, having a black coat and a yellowish snout and feeding mostly on … [37] Oil palms are nutritious but not enough for subsistence. It is found in Southeast Asia, including the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. [1][60], According to the IUCN Bear Specialist Group, sun bear populations have fallen by an estimated 35% in the last three decades. [49] Sun bears eat the centre of coconut palms, and crush oil-rich seeds such as acorns. The global population is estimated to have declined by 35% over the past three decades. Adults weigh 25–65 kilograms (55–143 pounds). [8][37] They consume figs in large amounts and eat them whole. Offspring remain with their mother for nearly the first three years of their lives. The underfur is particularly thick and black in adults, while the guard hairs are lighter. The tail is 3–7 cm (1–3 in) long. [1] A litter typically comprises one or two cubs weighing around 325 grams (11 1⁄2 ounces) each. Please consider giving a credit hyperlink to https://www.goodfreephotos.com if you use the photos on this site using the attribution code in the below box. [4][31], During feeding, the sun bear can extend its exceptionally long tongue by 20–25 cm (8–10 in) to extract insects and honey. [48] A study in Central Borneo revealed that sun bears play an important role in the seed dispersal of Canarium pilosum (a tree in the family Burseraceae). [24] However, the phylogenetic tree constructed by a nuclear gene sequencing analysis in 2008 swapped the positions of the sun bear and the sloth bear obtained in the previous study; moreover, all relationships other these two positions were well resolved. [8][3] Infants are greyish black with a pale brown or white snout and the chest patch is dirty white; the coat of older juveniles may be dark brown. It would get: honey; fruits - e.g. oriental. [3][34] Reported lengths for pregnancies vary from 95 to 240 days; pregnancy tends to be longer in zoos in temperate climate possibly due to delay in implantation or fertilisation. Other light features (often including its muzzle and feet) contrast with its black coat of short, coarse fur. a small forest-dwelling bear (Ursus malayanus synonym Helarctos malayanus) of southeastern Asia that has short glossy black fur with a lighter… See the full definition [3][26][29] The claws are sickle-shaped; the front claws are long and heavy. The subject of this study was a female Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus ) housed at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with a male (12 years old) and female (23 years old) conspecific. Sun bears tear open hollow trees with their long, sharp claws and teeth in search of wild bees and honey. [3][8][26] It is stockily built, with large paws, strongly curved claws, small rounded ears and a short snout. It is believed sun bears can delay implantation, meaning the fertilized egg reaches the uterus in a dormant state and remains there for several months before becoming active. The fur is generally jet-black, but can vary from grey to red. This explains why the gestation period can be anything from 95 to 240 days. [26], Sun bears lead the most arboreal (tree-living) lifestyle among all bears. Today they have been eliminated from majority of their erstwhile range, especially in Thailand; populations are declining in most of the range countries. Sun bears get their name from the characteristic orange to cream coloured chest patch. Numbers are especially low in Bangladesh and China, and populations in Vietnam are feared to decline severely by 50–80% in the next 30 years. Being omnivores, sun bears have a broad diet including ants, bees, beetles, honey, termites and plant material such as seeds and several kinds of fruits; vertebrates such as birds and deer are also eaten occasionally. The brown bear/polar bear lineage was estimated to have diverged from the two black bears/sun bear lineage around 5.54 to 6.72 million years ago; the sun bear appears to have diverged from the two black bears 5.09–6.26 mya. [70] The Malayan sun bears are part of an international captive-breeding program and a Species Survival Plan under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since late 1994. The fur is generally jet-black, but can vary from grey to red. [3][34] They are mainly active during the day, though nocturnality might be more common in areas frequented by humans. Called also bruang, and Malayan bear. Genus: Helarctos. [7][8] 'Honey bear' can also refer to the kinkajou. sun bear in British English. Sun bears become sexually mature at two to four years of age. [67] Protective laws have shown little success in controlling these threats, especially due to poor execution and high potential for gains by the trade. The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), also known as the honey bear, is a bear found primarily in the tropical rainforest (the dense lowland forests) in Southeast Asia; North-East India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Southern China, Peninsular Malaysia, … Disclaimer. Some individuals may even lack the patch. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. That means it eats everything it sees - imagine a bear in a supermarket grabbing everything! [8][35][36] The sun bear is an excellent climber; it sunbathes or sleeps in trees 2 to 7 metres (7 to 23 feet) above the ground. [1] They occupy home ranges of varying sizes in different areas, ranging from 7 to 27 square kilometres (2 1⁄2 to 10 1⁄2 square miles) in Borneo and peninsular Malaysia; a study in Ulu Segama Forest Reserve in Sabah (Malaysia) gave the sizes of ranges as 8.7–20.9 km2 (3 3⁄8–8 1⁄16 sq mi). Corrections? [66] A study in Nagaland (northeastern India) recorded a sparse distribution of sun bears in the Fakim and Ntangki National Parks, and reported extensive illegal hunting for food and trade in bear parts. It is mainly active during the day, though nocturnality might be more common in areas frequented by humans. [9], The sun bear was first described in 1821 from Sumatra by British statesman Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles, who gave it the scientific name Ursus malayanus. [3][8] Vocalisations include grunts and snuffles while foraging for insects, and roars similar to those of a male orangutan during the breeding season; less commonly they may give out short barks (like a rhinoceros) when they are surprised. [51][52] Oestrus lasts five to seven days. The spectacled bear is the only bear native to South America and is the largest land carnivore on that part of the continent, although as little as 5% of its diet is composed of meat. Mothers protect their cubs aggressively. [47] In a study in the forests of Kalimantan, fruits of Moraceae, Burseraceae and Myrtaceae species made up more than 50% of the fruit diet; in times of fruit scarcity, sun bears switched to a more insectivorous diet. However, this varies widely throughout the range; in India larger numbers have been recorded at an elevation of up to 3,000 m (9,800 ft) than in low-lying areas, probably due to habitat loss at ground level. ~, Helarctos malayanus Subspecies Borneo ~ Helarctos malayanus euryspilus It is stockily built, with large paws, strongly curved claws, small rounded ears and a short snout. [1][3], Sun bears tend to avoid heavily logged forests and areas close to human settlement. However, to make things ‘easier’ for identification: both species are black, both have a light mark on their chest, and both bears pretty much share the same habitat and range in Thailand. sun bear - definition and meaning [61][62] A 2007 study in East Borneo recorded severe loss of habitat and food resources due to droughts and forest fires brought about by the El Niño. [33] The head is large, broad and heavy in proportion to the body, but the ears are proportionately smaller; the palate is wide in proportion to the skull. A small, mainly nocturnal bear that has a brownish-black coat with a light-colored mark on the chest, native to Southeast Asia. Its unique morpholo… ( Sander­son, 1972; Ward and Ky­nas­ton, 1995) Biogeographic Regions. A crest is seen on the sides of the neck and a whorl occurs in the centre of the breast patch. The range of the sun bear is bound by northeastern India to the north and extends south to southeast through Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam in mainland Asia to Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia to the south. [11] Two subspecies have been proposed on the basis of variations in size:[12][13], H. anmamiticus, described by Pierre Marie Heude in 1901 from Annam, is not considered a distinct species, but is subordinated (a junior synonym) to H. m. [16][17] Genetic differences between the two subspecies are obscure. [39][40], Sun bears are shy and reclusive animals, and usually do not attack humans unless provoked to do so, or if they are injured or with their cubs; their timid nature led these bears to be tamed often and kept as pets in the past. The Malayan Sun Bear or Beruang Matahari is scientifically known as Helarctos malayanus and belongs to the family Ursidae. [4][5] The generic name Helarctos comes from two Greek words: ήλιος (hēlios, 'related to the sun') and αρκτος (arctos, 'bear'). It is the smallest bear, standing nearly 70 centimetres (28 inches) at the shoulder and weighing 25–65 kilograms (55–143 pounds). They breed throughout the year; individuals become sexually mature at two to four years of age. [34] Births occur inside hollow tree cavities. Helarctos Malayanus. NahidRains' cameras of choice, as Nahid M Helal, the company's CEO and owner, explained, are from Blackmagic: "Once I first got my Blackmagic Cinema Camera, I fell in love with its wide dynamic range and the beautiful images it produced, which the succeeding models, including the Pocket Cinema Camera, Production Camera 4K and URSA also inherit. It is stockily built, with large paws, strongly curved claws, small rounded ears and a short snout. [43], Sun bears are omnivores and feed on a broad variety of items such as ants, bees, beetles, honey, termites and plant material such as seeds and several kinds of fruits. Their range is probably greater than what is actually known (Sanderson, 1972; Ward and Kynaston, 1995). Cubs younger than two months are dependent on external simulation for defecation. The head-and-body length is between 100 and 140 centimetres (39 and 55 inches), and the shoulder height is nearly 70 cm (28 in). a species of bear (Helarctos Malayanus) native of Southern Asia and Borneo. Sun bear, also called bruang, honey bear, or Malayan sun bear, smallest member of the family Ursidae, found in Southeast Asian forests. Sun bears disappeared from Singapore, possibly due to extensive deforestation, during the 1800s and 1900s. Atlas » Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps. [8][37][38] It is also an efficient swimmer. The ~ is the most arboreal bear and builds sleeping nests as high as 18 meters (60 feet) in the trees. Origin Early 19th century; earliest use found in Edward Griffith (1790–1858), naturalist. [19] Noting the production of fertile hybrids between sun bears and sloth bears (Melursus ursinus), it was proposed that Helarctos be treated as a synonym of Melursus. [53] Sun bears are extinct in Singapore. [1][41] Tigers are major predators; dholes and leopards have also been recorded preying on sun bears but cases are relatively fewer. malayanus. [4][26] The overall unique morphology of this bear—inward-turned front feet, flattened chest, powerful forelimbs with large claws—indicates adaptations for extensive climbing. Adult Sun Bears have almost no predators except humans, due to their fierce reputation and formidable teeth. [37] Cubs are born deaf with eyes closed. [45][46] They forage mostly at night. [64] A report published by TRAFFIC in 2011 showed that sun bears, along with Asian black bears and brown bears, are specifically targeted for the bear bile trade in southeastern Asia, and are kept in bear farms in Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Sun bears tend to remain solitary but sometimes occur in pairs (such as a mother and her cub). The IUCN has listed this species as vulnerable. “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” There’s a lot to learn about some of the world’s most feared predators. [25], The sun bear is the smallest of all bear species. [3] Two whirls occur on the shoulders, from whence the hair radiates in all directions. [20][21] However, studies differed on whether the two species were closely related. The sun bear is named so for its characteristic orange to cream coloured, crescent-like chest patch. Mangroves may be inhabited, but usually only when they are close to preferred habitat types. [1] With the exception of Sarawak (Malaysia) and Cambodia, the sun bear is legally protected from hunting in its whole range. [71] Since that same year, the European breed registry for sun bears is kept in the Cologne Zoological Garden, Germany. Helarctos malayanus, family Ursidae ‘The lineages leading to the remaining species - the brown bear the black bear the sun bear and the sloth bear - … [69], The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, founded by Wong Siew Te in Sabah (Malaysia) in 2008, aims to work for the welfare of sun bears rescued from poor conditions in captivity and spread awareness about their conservation. Other items of its omnivorous diet include fruit, honey, and small vertebrates. All free photos on this site are public domain. [27][32] The teeth are very large, especially the canines, and the bite force is high relative to its body size for reasons not well understood; a possible explanation could be its frequent opening of tropical hardwood trees with its powerful jaws and claws in pursuit of insects, larvae, or honey. Helarctos malayanus (Sun Bear) is a species of mammals in the family bears.They are listed as vulnerable by IUCN and in cites appendix i.They are found in the indo-malayan realm.They are solitary, nocturnal herbivores.Individuals are known to live for 297.6 months and can grow to 1220.79 mm. [42] A wild female sun bear was swallowed by a large reticulated python in East Kalimantan. The eyes open at nearly 25 days but they remain blind till 50 days after birth; the sense of hearing improves over the first 50 days. It is the smallest species of bear. The sun bear is sympatric with the Asian black bear throughout the remaining areas in the mainland range featuring a mix of seasonal forest types, with monthly rainfall below 100 mm (4 in) for a long spell of three to seven months. [1], These bears dwell primarily in two main types of forests throughout their range: deciduous and seasonally evergreen forests to the north of the Isthmus of Kra, and non-seasonal evergreen forests in Indonesia and Malaysia. [65] Hunting pressure is rising even in some protected areas; in the Nam Ha National Protected Area in Laos, hunter snares have been found that specifically target bears. The major habitats in southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia are moist evergreen forests, with more or less non-varying climate and heavy rainfall throughout the year, and low-lying or montane dipterocarp forests. [3][26] Sun bears can expose the patch while standing on their hindfeet as a threat display against enemies. [28] The edges of the paws are tan or brown, and the soles are fur-less, which possibly is an adaptation for climbing trees. Their range can extend further into southern China and far eastern India. Heavy deforestation (due to agriculture, logging and forest fires) and hunting for wildlife trade are severe threats throughout the range; human-bear conflicts are a relatively minor threat. They do not seem to hibernate, possibly because food resources are available the whole year throughout the range. A 2014 report documented rampant poaching and trade in sun bear parts in Sarawak, more than anywhere else in Malaysia; the researchers recommended stricter legislations in the state to protect local sun bears. The bear (Helarctos, or Ursus, malayanus) is often tamed as a pet when young but becomes bad-tempered and dangerous as an adult. Their range is prob­a­bly greater than what is ac­tu­ally known. Descriptive catalogue of a zoological collection, made on account of the honourable East India Company, in the island of Sumatra and its vicinity, under the direction of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Lieutenant-Governor of Fort Marlborough; with additional notices illustrative of the natural history of those countries", "Craniometric differences among Malayan sun bears (, "Molecular genetic-distance estimates among the Ursidae as indicated by one- and two-dimensional protein electrophoresis", "Analysis of complete mitochondrial genome sequences increases phylogenetic resolution of bears (Ursidae), a mammalian family that experienced rapid speciation", "Survival strategies of a frugivore, the sun bear, in a forest-oil palm landscape", "Home range, movement and activity patterns, and bedding sites of Malayan sun bears, "Facial complexity in sun bears: Exact facial mimicry and social sensitivity", "Sun bears mimic each other's facial expressions to communicate", "Predation on sun bears by reticulated python in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo", "Food habits of Malayan Sun Bears in lowland tropical forests of Borneo", "Food habits of Malayan sun bears in lowland tropical forests of Borneo", "Reproductive timing and aseasonality in the sun bear (, "Predictive modeling and mapping of Malayan sun bear (, 10.2192/1537-6176(2004)015<0227:NOOPPU>2.0.CO;2, 10.2192/1537-6176(2005)016[0130:HBCIEK]2.0.CO;2, "Change in tropical forest cover of Southeast Asia from 1990 to 2010", "Human imposed threats to sun bears in Borneo", Pills, powders, vials and flakes: the bear bile trade in Asia, "Dismantling the "wall of death": emergency bear snare-line patrol in the Nam Kan National Protected Area, Lao PDR", "Malayan sun bear: bile trade threatens the world's smallest bear", "A review of the sun bear trade in Sarawak, Malaysia", The effects of selective logging on Malayan sun bears in lowland tropical rainforest of Borneo, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sun_bear&oldid=997561661, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 1 January 2021, at 03:47. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Updates? Enrich your vocabulary with the English Definition dictionary Test your knowledge with this quiz. Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus), a bear from the tropical forests and southeast Asia. Sun bears are located in southeast Asia in countries including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and the islands of Borneo, Sumatra and Java. Bornean Sun Bear Helarctos Malayanus Euryspilus Sun bears in the wild are incredibly elusive, shy and not surprisingly difficult to find. [65][68], The sun bear is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and is included in CITES Appendix I. The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is a species in the family Ursidae occurring in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The bear (Helarctos, or Ursus, malayanus) is often tamed as a pet when young but becomes bad-tempered and dangerous as an adult. [50] Sun bears have been reported preying on poultry and livestock. [3][8] Sun bears do not seem to hibernate, possibly because food resources are available the whole year throughout the range. any small lustrous beetle of the genus Amara. The researchers noted the need for further study to fully resolve the relationship. [3], The phylogenetic relationships among ursid species have remained ambiguous over the years. [18] In 2002, Christopher Fitzgerald and Paul Krausman (of the American Society of Mammalogists) considered the sun bear monotypic. Mostra le traduzioni generate algoritmicamente mostra . [30] The sympatric Asian black bear has cream-coloured chest markings of a similar shape as those of sun bears; a 2008 study discussed differences in claw markings of both bears as a means of identification. [54][55][56] However they have been seen in farmlands, plantations and orchards, where they may be considered vermin. [50], Sun bears are polyoestrous; births occur throughout the year. This has possibly been the case since prehistoric times and is not a result of human interference. Sun bears were killed by shooting or administering poison to protect coconut and snakefruit plantations in East Kalimantan. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/animal/sun-bear, San Diego Zoo - Animals and Plants - Sun Bear. Bear definition in English dictionary, Bear meaning, synonyms, see also 'bear down',bear hug',bear arms',ant bear'. Vulnerable [22][23] A 2007 phylogenetic study gives the relationships of the sun bear with other species of Ursidae based on complete mitochondrial DNA sequences as shown in the cladogram below. [8][44] Vertebrates such as birds, deer, eggs and reptiles may be eaten occasionally. Habitat fragmentation is on the rise particularly in Borneo, Sumatra and some areas of the mainland range. [59], In the past sun bears ranged from Borneo and Sumatra in the north and Assam in the northwest to northeastern Vietnam in the northeast and at least Yunnan Province (China) in the east. - e.g in search of wild bees and honey required but it 'd be much appreciated and. Is for informational purposes only large amounts and eat them whole chest marking to an image of the neck a! Native of southern Asia and Borneo [ 1 ] [ 44 ] Vertebrates such as acorns during the day though! Species Helarctos malayanus en bear found in tropical forest habitats of Southeast.... Human settlement with their front paws grey to red whirls occur on the,. Asian bears, the phylogenetic relationships among ursid species have remained ambiguous over the past three decades species were related! Early 19th century ; earliest use found in Southeast Asia ; grip: a good hold on the lookout your. 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