The sloth bear is a shaggy, black bear of South Asia with a pale muzzle and a white V on its chest. It specialises in eating termites and ants and is found mostly in India.
Interesting facts
- A gap where two upper front teeth are missing helps them suck up insects.
- They can close their nostrils to keep out dust and insects.
- Mothers carry their cubs on their backs, which no other bear does routinely.
- Baloo in The Jungle Book was a sloth bear.
- India freed the last of its ‘dancing bears’ in 2009.
- Sloth bears are responsible for many attacks on people in India, often when surprised at close range.
Behaviour
Sloth bears are mostly solitary and nocturnal, although they are active by day in protected areas. They use long, curved claws to rip open termite mounds and climb trees for fruit and honey.
Breeding and young
Cubs, usually one or two, are born in a den in winter. They ride on their mother’s back for several months.
Threats and conservation
Habitat loss, conflict with people, poaching for body parts and past capture of cubs for the dancing bear trade.
Where to see it
- Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Karnataka, India
- Yala and Wilpattu national parks, Sri Lanka
- Satpura and Tadoba tiger reserves, India
- Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
Where to see the sloth bear
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