Asian black bears or moon bears are closely related to the North American black bears. They are called moon bears because of the sickle-shaped marking on their chest.

Distribution area and habitat

Asian black bears tend to live in mountain forests at altitudes of 1,000 to over 3,000 meters, moving to lower-lying areas in the winter. Their area of distribution is divided into two, reaching from eastern Siberia to north-eastern China and Japan as well as from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Vietnam and Thailand.

Appearance, height and weight

The Asian black bear has a round head and relatively large ears. The long hair on its neck and shoulders form a kind of mane, its hair is jet black. A sickle-shaped, white marking on the chest, a light marking on the chin and a reddish coloration on the side of the muzzle are also typical features.

At a total length of one and a half to two meters and weighing up to 200 kilograms, moon bears are only a little larger and heavier than the North American black bears. However, their physique and impressive mane of fur make them appear considerably more powerful.DietThe moon bear is an omnivore, feeding on nuts, acorns, berries and other fruit as well as honey, insects and carrion. It will also, occasionally, prey upon a sheep or mountain goat.

Way of life

Asian black bears climb trees often and with great skill, building “nests” in which they sleep at a height of up to 40 meters. In colder areas they usually sleep during the winter. The bears frequently set up their den under the roots of trees which have toppled over.

Social behaviour and reproduction

Moon bears are well-known for their aggressive behavior in captivity. In the wild, however, they prefer to avoid conflict.The bears are loners, only making contact with each other during the mating season. After a gestation period of 6-8 months, the female moon bear gives birth to two to four cubs which she then looks after for approximately two years.

Status

The moon bear population is considered endangered as hunting and increasing logging and agricultural activity, amongst other factors, are causing its numbers to decline worldwide.