The common name of this bear species is sun bear while the scientific name is Helarctos malayanus.Sun bears have a long tongue which helps them to trap and eat their food. These animals are listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as sun bears face serious extinction threats.Sun bears are the smallest bear species. These are one of the rarest bear species, so we know very little about them. These bears are also known as sun bears because they have a golden crescent patch on their chest, which resembles the bright shiny sun. A sun bear is also known as a honey bear because it is very fond of honey, just like the Winnie the Pooh bear. These bears are also known as dog bears because of their small size. Because of its geographical location, the sun bear is also called Malayan sun bear. Let’s learn some more fun facts about these rare bears.After reading about this bear species native to southeast Asia, also check out facts about the Kodiak bear weight and if polar bears hibernate.Are sun bears aggressive?Sun bears are very aggressive animals in the wild. These bears can attack anyone without any particular reason.They can be really aggressive to humans without any provocation. These bears have very sharp claws and sharp teeth which make them one of the most dangerous animals around. These bears also have threats from predators.Being the smallest bear does not make them the nicest bears; these animals are very aggressive and can harm anyone with their strong and sharp claws and teeth. When threatened, these bears have all the required skills to defend themselves.Where are sun bears found?Sun bears are very rare to be found. These bears are generally found in rainforests of southeast Asia which include countries like India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.Borneo is believed to be the last stronghold for these rare bears because of having conditions suitable for sun bears. There is a subspecies of sun bears, the Helarctos malayanus euryspilus, which is only found on islands of Borneo.Sun bears are solitary animals and are generally found alone, not with a group, but sometimes may occur in pairs. The territory of sun bears depends on the concentration of food availability. These bears are good climbers and are usually found on tree branches 7-23 ft (2-7 m) above the ground. These bears spend most of their time sunbathing and sleeping in their nests which they make on branches of large trees.Is the sun bear’s tongue immune to bee stings?Other than being the smallest and the rarest bears, sun bears are also known for their long tongues. Sun bears love to eat honey, which they extract with the help of their long tongue.Sun bears have an 8-10 in (20-25.4 cm) long tongue which helps them to trap insects. Do you know that sun bears have the longest tongue among all other bears?It cannot be said that a sun bear’s tongue is immune to bee stings, but it can be considered that sun bears are less bothered by bees. They use their long tongue to extract honey from the deepest nest without much difficulty. Other than extracting honey, a sun bear’s tongue also helps it to extract and trap other animals, insects, and fruits to fill its tummy.What is the lifespan of a sun bear?Sun bears have an average lifespan of 25 years in the wild. These bears can also live up to 31 years in captivity. Their age depends on the habitat and hunting activities in the wild.When in captivity, their age is affected by the treatment given to them by their owners. If they are treated well, they can live up to 30 years, but if they are not treated well, then they can die earlier.Sun bears are also prey for many wild animals in the forest. Predators like tigers hunt for these bears and eat them. These bears are so small that they also face threats from snakes and birds of prey. These threats lead to a decrease in the lifespan of sun bears.Did You Know…Sun bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Sun bears eat reptiles, rodents, deer, eggs, and other small animals. They also prefer to eat insects like grubs, ants, bees, beetles, and termites. Being omnivores, they also eat fruits, roots, and berries to fill their tummies. The most favorite food item for a sun bear, as has been mentioned before, is honey. Sun bears love to eat honey. Sun bears use their long tongues to reach and extract honey directly from bee hives.Sun bear cubs also eat the same food as adults. The only difference is in the quantity of food. Sun bear cubs eat less than adults. Also, sun bear cubs do not eat birds or rodents because they are very big for them. The only meat they are able to eat is bees, ants, and other insects. Do you know that a sun bear does not eat humans and fish?Sun bears are vulnerable and one of the rarest species in the world. According to some sources, there are probably less than 1000 individual sun bears left in the wild. But what is the reason for their declining population? The reason behind this is habitat loss and hunting. Deforestation due to human needs leads to the destruction of the natural habitat of the sun bear.Other than habitat loss, another great threat to the sun bears is hunting and poaching. Sun bears are poached for medicinal uses. There are many medicines that are made from the bile products of a sun bear. Do you know that more than 10,000 bears, including sun bears, are kept in captivity in China for their bile extraction? This cruel process leads to infection and other health issues.Sun bears are also hunted for their meat and fur. These bears are also hunted for selling purposes. People buy sun bears to keep them as exotic pets, although it is considered illegal in most places. Since they are very rare, they are also very expensive. So people hunt them to sell them at a very high price and to earn a great profit.This kind of behavior of humans also contributes to the unwanted aggression of these bears towards us. If you treat someone well, that person will usually also treat you the same way. Bears are also living beings, so one should not hurt them for their products.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for surprising sun bear tongue facts then take a look at are there bears in Africa, or polar bear fur.
The common name of this bear species is sun bear while the scientific name is Helarctos malayanus.
