The Toledo Zoo/ThinkingWorks
Teacher Overview for the Generic Lessons Using
Sloth Bear as an Example
Ó2003
Teacher Overview: Sloth Bear
The sloth bear has traits that are unique to its species. Below is a list of sloth bear traits that will help
you and your students complete the ThinkingWorks lesson.
The sloth bear belongs to the class of vertebrate (e.g., animals with a backbone) animals known as
Mammalia or Mammals. This group is characterized by live birth, suckling young with milk produced by the
mother, a covering of hair or fur and warm-bloodedness (e.g., capable of producing their own body heat).
The class Mammalia is further broken down into smaller groups known as orders and families. The sloth
bear belongs to the order Carnivora, a group typified as flesh-eating, with large canine teeth. Two of the
many other members of this order include the dogs (e.g., wolf, African wild dog and fox) cats (e.g., tiger,
cheetah and snow leopard), weasels (e.g., skunk and otter) and seals (e.g., gray and harbor seal). The sloth
bear also belongs to the family Ursidae, a family composed of several species including the polar bear,
American black bear, Asiatic black bear, spectacled bear, sun bear, brown bear and giant panda.
Sloth bears are currently exhibited on the historic side of the Zoo near the Aviary and the Carnivore Café.
General Bear Characteristics (family Ursidae)
Bears have average
visual acuity but can
see in color.
Hearing is average and is
less relied upon than the
sense of smell.
The pelage (coat) is usually
thick for protection from brush
and encounters with other
bears. It is generally unicolor
and, depending on the species,
ranges from white to black.
Bears have an acute
sense of smell for
locating prey and
detecting danger.
Most carnivores walk on the tips
of the toes (digitgrade gait)
which
improves
running
efficiency by increasing the
length of the stride. Bears,
though, walk on the soles of
their feet (plantigrade gait) like
humans.
All bears have five toes
on each foot, each with a
strong, curved claw. The
claws cannot be retracted
in the way that most cats
can retract their claws.
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Ó2003
Teacher Overview – Sloth Bear
General Characteristics of Bears
q There are 8 species of bears in the world; the American black bear, Asiatic black bear, brown bear,
polar bear, giant panda, sloth bear, spectacled bear and sun bear.
q Bears are found in Asia, Europe, North America and South America.
q Bear size ranges from small (e.g., male sun bears have an average weight of around 100 pounds) to very
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large (e.g., brown bears can weigh over 1,800 pounds).
Most bears are heavily and powerfully built. Their ears and eyes are generally small and they have very
short tails.
Bears usually have long, rough hair that is often unicolored (except for the giant panda). Most bears
are brown, black or white. Some bears have white markings on their chest or face.
Bears are intelligent and have excellent memories, especially about food sources.
Bears have average vision and can see in color.
Bears have average hearing acuity.
Bears have a very good sense of smell and use it to locate prey, other bears and potential threats, such
as the presence of humans.
Some bears can run at speeds exceeding 35 mph over short distances.
Bears are omnivorous, eating a diet of fruit, insects, carrion and meat. The cheek teeth or molars are
flattened and specialized for crushing, reflecting their omnivorous eating habits. Other carnivores
(e.g., cats) have cheek teeth that are scissor-like, indicating the purely carnivorous need for shearing
meat.
Most bear species are solitary and interact with other bears only during mating or if a sow is with cubs.
Bears are able to walk bipedally (on two feet) and are usually good climbers.
Most bear species are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at twilight), but polar bears are diurnal during
the Arctic summer.
Contrary to popular belief, bears are not true hibernators. Their body temperatures remain high and
most body functions continue. They awaken easily if disturbed. Bears found in temperate areas (e.g.,
American black bear) will often be active during periods of mild weather.
Bears are plantigrades, and consequently walk on the soles of their feet. This feature allows bears to
stand on their hind legs and walk bipedally over short distances.
Bears have large claws on each toe. The claws are non-retractable and are used primarily for digging.
Representative Bear Species
giant panda
polar bear
American black bear
sloth bear
Asiatic black bear
brown bear
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Ó2003
Teacher Overview – Sloth Bear
Sloth Bear Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
q Adult males usually weigh between 175 and 310
pounds. Females weigh 120 to 210 pounds.
q A small bear with a shaggy, black coat and a light
colored snout. On the chest there is a white or
cream-colored “U” or “Y” shaped patch of fur.
q The snout is flexible and the nostrils can be
closed voluntarily.
Sloth Bear
Habitat
q The sloth bear lives in forested areas and
grasslands in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal
and Bhutan.
q Lower elevations and drier forests with rocky
outcrops are preferred.
Social Organization and Reproduction
q Adults are solitary except for females with
cubs.
q Groups will often congregate where there is an
abundant food source.
q In the wild, they breed in June/July. Cubs are
born in November, December or January.
q The typical litter size is 2.
q Cubs stay with the mother for 2 or 3 years.
q Sows are known to carry their young on their
backs, with the cubs holding on to the long,
shaggy hair.
Sloth Bear Range Map
Diet
q Sloth bears specialize in termites but eat other
insects, eggs, honey, carrion and various plants.
q The sloth bear has a special adaptation for
eating termites. Its upper incisors are missing
and its lips can be extended to form a tube.
This adaptation allows the sloth bear to produce
a vacuum for sucking up termites.
Conservation
q Sloth bears suffer from severe habitat loss and
poaching for various body parts that are used in
traditional medicine.
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Ó2003