Classic Moments in the Forest


Indian Peafowl | Blackbuck | Elephant | Spotted Deer | Common Langur
Wild Boar | Indian Gaur | Tiger | Sambar | Sloth Bear | Leopard
Nilgiri Tahr




Photograph by T.N.A. Perumal, F.R.P.S., M.F.I.A.P.

Sloth Bear (Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Karnataka)

» SCIENTIFIC NAME: Melursus ursinus
» KANNADA NAME: Karadi

Shy, slow, shambling and short-sighted, the sloth bear is considered the clumsiest of all bears. Yet in the wink of an eye, sometimes for no apparent reason, it can transform into an alert, ferocious and cunning adversary. No one can ever predict how a bear will react to any given circumstance…or explain why.

Living in rocky places that offer shelter from heat and rain, sloth bears have a distinctive elongated muzzle and lower lip, long unkempt hair and short hind legs. Their sense of smell is excellent; but hearing and vision are poor. They are good swimmers and climbers and travel wide, far and high to get enough food to sustain their large bodies. Predominantly nocturnal, bears sleep all day and emerge around sunset to forage for food all night.

Description: Average size of male: 2' 2"–2' 9" (65-85 cm.) height at shoulder; 4' 6"–5' 6" (140-170 cm.) length; 280-320 lb. (127-145 kg.) weight. Females are smaller, weighing about 140 lb. (64 kg.). Coat has brownish tinge, rarely completely brown. Most have whitish v-shaped breast patch. Lifespan: 40 years in captivity.

Distribution: Forested tracts, from Assam at the base of the Himalayas to Ceylon.

Habits and habitat: Found where there is sufficient forest to provide food.

Natural enemies: Jungle predators like tigers, leopards and wild dogs; disease and man.

Food: Mainly fruits, roots, herbs, honey, termites and other insects, but when hungry, may even eat carrion. Will raid crops like maize and sugarcane.

Breeding habits: Mating time in hot weather. A long-drawn, melodious mating call. Gestation period is 7-8 months, with 2-3 cubs in a litter. Cubs raised by the mother, carried on her back wherever she goes. They live with her for 2-3 years.