Rudyard Kipling modelled Baloo, the friendly bear from the Jungle Book, on the shaggy sloth bear with its shambling gait.

Distribution area and habitat

The sloth bear is native to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. It primarily lives in wooded areas with rocks which provide a good means of shelter.

Appearance, height and weight

The sloth bear’s black, shaggy fur has light markings on the chest area. Its head is relatively large and its snout elongated into a proboscis shape whereas its limbs are short.The males can weigh up to approximately 130 kilograms and can attain a head and body length of 140 to 190 centimetres. The females only weigh around 70 kilograms.

Diet

The sloth bear eats fruit, berries, honey, sugar cane and carrion – above all, however, it eats small animals such as ants and termites, using its strong claws, long snout and elongated lower lip to dig and suck them out of their nests.

Way of life

Sloth bears search for food in the dark. They are sociable in comparison with other bears and like making noises. Even when asleep, they often make low growling noises to themselves.

Social behaviour and reproduction

Sloth bears, which are active at twilight and at night, get along with each other better than other species of bear. Copulation seems to take place from April to July. However, comparatively little is known about sloth bears’ reproductive behaviour.

In general, the females give birth to two cubs after a gestation period of approximately 210 days. Later, their young are often carried on their backs. The offspring remain in their mother's care for at least two years. They become sexually mature at an age of two to three years.

Status

Sloth bears have almost become extinct in Sri Lanka and their population is also severely under threat in many parts of India. As with other species of bear they are hunted for their gall bladder and other body parts. The tiger, leopard and wolf rank amongst their natural enemies.