# Sloth Bear (*Melursus ursinus*)

> The sloth bear is a shaggy, long-snouted bear of the Indian subcontinent that feeds mainly on termites and ants, sucking them up with a gap-toothed jaw and mobile lips. Adults weigh 55–145 kg (120–320 lb), carry cubs on their backs, and are listed Vulnerable from habitat loss and conflict.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Dry and moist forests, grasslands, and scrub of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, with strongholds in central and western India.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sloth-bear/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Ursidae
- **Genus:** Melursus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Melursus ursinus |
| Diet | Omnivore — termites, ants, fruit, and honey |
| Habitat | Dry and moist forests, grasslands, and scrub of the Indian subcontinent |
| Lifespan | 20–25 years in the wild |
| Weight | 55–145 kg (120–320 lb); males heavier |
| Top speed | Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) in short bursts |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## Termite specialist

Sloth bears lack upper incisors, creating a gap that lets them suck insects efficiently. They rip open termite mounds with long claws and blow away dirt before vacuuming up colonies. During fruiting season they also eat figs, mangoes, and flowers.

## Cub riding and family life

Sloth bear mothers are known for carrying cubs on their backs for several months — unusual among bears. Cubs are born in an underground den and emerge to ride the mother through territory where tigers and leopards pose threats.

## Nocturnal forager

Sloth bears are largely nocturnal in areas with human activity, foraging alone except when females travel with cubs. They communicate with snorts, screams, and lip-popping sounds when feeding on insects across forests from Sri Lanka to the Himalayan foothills.

## Conservation and conflict

Habitat fragmentation and retaliation for crop raiding threaten sloth bears across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. 'Dancing bear' traditions that exploited cubs have been largely banned, but road kills, poaching, and forest loss continue to reduce populations.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is it called a sloth bear?

Early European naturalists thought its long claws and shaggy coat resembled a sloth. It is a true bear, not related to sloths.

### Do sloth bears carry babies on their back?

Yes — mothers often carry cubs on their backs for several months, one of the few bear species known for this behaviour.

### Are sloth bears aggressive?

They can be unpredictable when surprised and have injured people who stumble upon them in forests. Most attacks occur during accidental encounters, not predation.

### What do sloth bears eat?

Mainly termites and ants, plus fruit, honey, and occasionally carrion. Their diet shifts with seasonal fruit availability.

### Where do sloth bears live?

Forests and scrublands of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, with the largest numbers in protected areas of central and western India.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Melursus ursinus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Melursus%20ursinus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Melursus ursinus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Melursus_ursinus/)
- [Wikipedia — Sloth Bear.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_bear)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sloth-bear/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.