~ Sun Bear Status
~ Sun Bears have been classified by the IUCN as "vulnerable" in 2007, meaning that there is a high risk of extinction in the wild. The major threat to their survival is habitat loss and hunting by humans, either as a pest because they destroy crops, or for their fur and bile which is used in Chinese Medicine.
~ The Sun Bear population in Thailand has declined by about 50 percent in the last 20 years.
~ Where do Sun Bears live ?
~ Sun Bears live for the most time in mainland Southeast Asia, in the tropical rain forests.
~ What do Sun Bears eat ?
~ Sun Bears eat a wide variety of foods, ranging from small vertebrates ranging from small mammals, birds and lizards. They also eat eggs, fruit, termites, insects, bees nests and honey, berries, sprouts, roots and coconuts.
~ Sun Bears do not have very good vision, so their food must be found using the sun bear's keen sense of smell.
~ Facts About A Sun Bear
~ A Sun Bear is about 4 to 5 feet in length (120-150 centimeters), and the males weigh 66-132 pounds (30-60 kg), with females weighing in at 44-88 pounds (20-40 kg)
~ The Sun Bear has lightweight sickle-shaped claws, and has large paws with bare soles which help the bear to climb.
~ The Sun Bear dark black fur is short and sleek. The chest area, however, has a horseshoe shaped yellow marking, with the same colored fur around the eyes and mussel, giving the Sun Bear its name.