The Smallest Bear

Photo by Tambako The Jaguar
The Smallest Bear: Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus)

This small species of bear indigenous to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia are omnivores weighing between 44 and 88 pounds as females and between 66 and 154 as males. They eat mainly small insects and different types of fruits. Unlike many other bear species, sun bears do not hibernate, and they are also nocturnal. Although killing sun bears is strictly prohibited under nation wildlife protection laws, one of their major threats is commercial hunting, with the other being habit loss. Taking these factors into account, the IUCN Red List classifies them as Vulnerable.

Mammal / Bear

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