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Picture source:
Animal Planet © 2003
Discovery Communications Inc.
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Sun Bears - Social Structure
Sun Bears reach sexual maturity at the age between 3 and 5 years. Mating may occur any time during the year, as there is no special mating season. There are two cubs in the litter. The gestation period is about three and a half months. Cubs are usually weaned at 4 months. Their mother teaches them to survive for about two years.
Sun bears are excellent climbers. They are basically nocturnal, and spend days sleeping in trees between 6 and 21 feet off the ground. Sun bears usually travel in pairs and thus, these animals are considered monogamous.
Sun Bears - Adaptations
Huge claws of the Sun Bear help these animals climb high in the trees, and also serve as an aid in defense. Bare soles are also a perfect aid in climbing. The bear's long tongue is used in slurping up insects. If Sun bears are attacked, they make a barking sound and rise on their hind legs. They are capable of causing serious injury to potential threats with their long sickle-like claws, and powerful jaws. When a predator grabs a Sun bear, its loose skin enables the animal to turn and bite its attacker.
Sun Bears - Interesting Facts
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Picture source:
Animal Tracks © 2003
Canada Inc. Discovery Canada
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Sun Bears are considered rather dangerous animals. Some Sun Bears have been known to tear apart their enemies with their sharp claws. The Malayan name for the Sun Bear is "basindo nan tenggil," which translates as "he who likes to sit high." Because of their small size, local people call Sun Bears "dog bears."
Sun Bears - General Information Links
Amazing Animals: Sun Bears - Brief information on these animals, and their behavior.
Barney The Bear - Barney was a small Malayan Sun bear, the mascot of Company Alpha, 5th Special Forces Group, Airborne, Ben Hoi, South Vietnam. Discovered by the soldiers as an orphan cub, he would be put in a knapsack when the company parachuted on missions.
Bear Bile and Wine - The Vietnamese Government has listed the Malayan Sun Bear and the Asiatic Black bear as species of bears that are "rare and precious animals."
Bear Facts - Facts on bear species.
Bear Photo Gallery - Pictures of Sun Bears in slide show.
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Picture source:
School District 30
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Bear Trade Investigation in Indonesia - In 2000, ProFauna Indonesia supported by WSPA has conducted investigation toward trade of live and parts of Malayan Sun bear and some products containing bear parts.
Bear Webquest - Information on size, color, and food. Useful links.
Bears Love Honey - Pictures, and information on bear species.
China Bear Rescue - Conservation efforts, and information on the status of the bear species.
Cooperation to Save the Malayan Sun Bear - The National Zoo and Aquarium, along with government zoos such as the Melbourne and Taronga Zoos, actively participate in Australasian breeding programs to help conserve endangered species.
Malayan Sun Bear Outline - History, life, and death of the Sun Bear.
Malayan Sun Bears Habitat - Read about this endangered species.
Species: Sun Bears - Learn more about different species of bears.
Thai Wildlife: Sun Bears - Contains comparison of the two bear species living in Thailand.
The Helarctos Malayanus - The first malayan Sun Bear(Female) raised in shanghai Zoological park was introduced from Kunming in 1989.
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Picture source:
Willis Anderson ©
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The Sun Bear in Short - Species description and natural history, and pictures.
The Sun Bear Pics - Pictures and brief information on the species.
Wildlife Gallery - Pictures of Sun Bears.
Yunnan Animal Museum - Learn about rare and interesting animals, including the Sun Bear.
Zoogoer Sun Bears - Precious little is known about the natural history of the world's smallest bear, but hunting, capture, and the disappearance of its rainforest habitat paint a disturbing picture for its future.
Sun Bears - Other Sun Bears sites
Pet Insurance -
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