Helarctos malayanus
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Helarctos malayanus
Helarctos malayanus
The Sun Bear is the smallest bear in the world! They have short, sleek fur and a special yellow or white patch on their chest that looks like a sun.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Helarctos malayanus is the smallest bear, distinguished by its sleek, short black fur. It has a striking orange-yellow, often crescent-shaped, chest patch and a pale muzzle. Its long, sickle-shaped claws are also very noticeable.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyUrsidaeGenusHelarctos
Category
MammalsRarity
Rare
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Sun bears enjoy napping in trees, sometimes creating cozy branch nests.
Sun bears' scientific name, Helarctos, actually means 'sun bear' in Greek!
Their unique chest patch is like a personal 'sun' symbol!
They stand on two legs to survey surroundings and sniff out distant food.
Special abilities
Ability
Tree Master
Helarctos malayanus has powerful, curved claws that help them climb trees quickly and tear open rotting logs for insects.
Ability
Escape Artist
Helarctos malayanus has loose skin that allows them to twist and turn to escape if a predator grabs them.
Ability
Super Sniffer
Helarctos malayanus can sniff out hidden food from far away because of their amazing sense of smell.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 100-150 cm
- Weight
- 25-65 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-28 years
- Top Speed
- 48 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-2
- Gestation
- 95-100 days
Diet & Feeding
Sun bears are omnivores, eating everything from insects and honey to fruits and small animals.
Primary Foods
- Honey
- Termites
- Fruit
- Beetle larvae
- Small vertebrates
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Tiger
Panthera tigris
Adult sun bears are sometimes hunted by tigers.
eats
Giant Honey Bee
Apis dorsata
Consumes honey and larvae from large nests.
eats
Banyan Fig
Ficus altissima
Feeds on ripe figs, dispersing their seeds.
eats
Termite
Macrotermes gilvus
Digs into nests to consume termite larvae and adults.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Honey Bear
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Sun Bears are wild animals and should be admired from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Helarctos malayanus?
100-150 cm
How much does Helarctos malayanus weigh?
25-65 kg
How long does Helarctos malayanus live?
20-28 years
How fast can Helarctos malayanus move?
48 km/h
What does Helarctos malayanus eat?
Sun bears are omnivores, eating everything from insects and honey to fruits and small animals.
Where is Helarctos malayanus usually found?
Forests
How does Helarctos malayanus hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Helarctos malayanus usually have?
1-2
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Where to spot
Aquarium30 sightings22 species
Nebraska, US
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
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Zoo30 sightings19 species
Missouri, US
Saint Louis Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Allen's Swamp Monkey, and Tiger.
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Zoo20 sightings17 species
Louisiana, US
Audubon Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Giraffes, and Equus Africanus Asinus.
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Zoo21 sightings13 species
Georgia, US
Zoo Atlanta
You might spot African Lion, Giraffes, and Common Ostrich.
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Zoo18 sightings12 species
England, UK
Colchester Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Komodo Dragon, and Common Ostrich.
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Zoo30 sightings10 species
Oregon, US
Oregon Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Gray Wolf, and Tiger.
View guide →
