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Sloth Bear

Melursus ursinus

Like a vacuum cleaner

Sloth bears love to go after termites: break open the nest, protrude their  exible lips, close their nostrils – and off they go! Their long tongue helps them lap everything up.

Characteristics

  • Origin

    Asia, India and Sri Lanka, occasionally in Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh

  • Habitat

    tropical rainforests and grasslands

  • Diet

    They prefer insects, especially termites, as well as fruit, flowers and honey, occasionally vertebrates.

  • Status

    vulnerable; decreasing

  • Size

    Body length: up to 185 cm; tail length: up to 12 cm; shoulder height: 60-90 cm

  • Weight

    90 to 140 kg

  • Gestation period

    with dormancy: 6 to 8 months

  • Achievable age

    about 40 years

Threat Categories of IUCN

Really cool

Sloth bears' long, shaggy fur insulates and perfectly protects them from the heat in the tropics.

 

Did you know that ...

... Sloth bears don't hibernate,
... their cubs initially ride on their mother's backs
... and their name is derived from their long claws similar to those of a sloth?

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Opening hours

Today, 19. April
9:00 - 18:30
Last admission: 17:00
Opening hours

Feedings & Trainings

  • Chimpanzees 13:30
  • Orangutans/Bonobos 13:30
All feedings

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FAQ

Frequent questions