Asiatic black bear
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Vulnerable
Asiatic Black bear Facts:
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Ursus thibetanus
LIFE SPAN:
25-30 years
SIZE:
50-77 inches (4.1-6.4 feet)
WEIGHT:
220-440 pounds
DIET:
Asiatic black bears are Omnivores. They eat fruit, honey, grasses, nuts, birds, fish, and rodents.
PReDATORS:
Tigers, wolves, humans
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The Asiatic Black Bear, or Moon Bear, is primarily black and has a light brown nose and mouth. They have a distinct white patch of fur on their chest in the shape of a V. These black bears are less heavily built and have longer limbs as compared to brown bears. Asiatic Black Bears are strong climbers and use primarily their forelimbs to do so. Also, these bears can walk on their back legs for up to a quarter of a mile!
BEHAVIOR:
The Moon Bear is diurnal, meaning that they are active during the day as well as the night. Living half of their life in trees, Black Bears will eat, sleep, and elude predators using their strong climbing skills. Â Asiatic Black Bears can sometimes live in families of four with two parents and two smaller cubs for protection against predators. Most bears do not hibernate but some will in the colder regions of Asia. The black bears that do hibernate will sleep from November until March.
THREATS:
With deforestation is Asia, many black bears are losing their homes to human growth. Also, farmers in Asia will kill Moon Bears in fear of their animals and crops being eaten by bears. In Japan, bears are poached for their meat and their fur. Bears are also used for traditional medicine. The Asiatic Black Bear is not endangered but is vulnerable of becoming endangered.
How can you Help?
Click here for Animals Asia website for more education and facts about Asiatic Black Bears and their conservation.
Learn all about Black Bears and share what you know with others.
Don’t buy Black Bear bile or other products.
