Sloth Bear

About Sloth Bear:

• Sloth bears are one of the eight bear species found across the world.
• They are myrmecophagous, meaning, they find bugs and termites to be their most sought after meal.
• Appearance:
  • They have long, shaggy dark brown or black fur and curved claws, which are the longest out of any of the bear species.
  • Sloth bears have been called "labiated bears" because of their long lower lip and palate used for sucking insects.
• Habitat: They live in a variety of dry and moist forests and in some tall grasslands, where boulders, scattered shrubs and trees provide shelter.
• Distribution: They mainly inhabit the region of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and presumably Bhutan.
• These bears are mostly nocturnal, foraging for food at night and resting in secluded locations
• Sloth Bear Sanctuaries in India: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary (Karnataka), Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary (Gujarat).
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1