Shaggy, messy, deceptively adorable, the Sri Lankan Sloth Bears are a rare gem that can be seen on your safari rides. A bit of a misnomer, they are neither related to sloths, or slow moving. In fact, they are probably the most dangerous animals you would encounter on your adventures in the wild when you visit Sri Lanka. Curious to know more about these cute fuzzy creatures? Read on and we will tell you all there is to know about them.
Scientific Classification:
The Sri Lankan Sloth Bear is a subspecies of the Sloth Bear, and is endemic to Sri Lanka. They go by the scientific name of Melursus ursinus inornatus, and belong to the Ursidae family, in the Carnivora order, although they have adapted to become omnivorous.
Fun Fact: The general Sloth Bears were discovered by a European zoologist named George Shaw, who named the sloth bear for its long, thick claws and unusual teeth, and thought they were a sloth species. It wasn’t until 1810 that the error was corrected.
Characteristics:
Sloth bears are stocky with a long and extremely shaggy black coat and a V or Y shaped marking on the chest. They have a cream-coloured muzzle, and large prehensile lips and a long tongue. Their paws are equipped with well-developed hook-like claws that enable them to climb trees and dig for termites. The head and body grow up to 6 feet in length. Male bears can weigh up to 140kg, while the much smaller female will weigh about 95kg.
Behaviour:
For creatures that are masters at hiding and being secretive, the Sri Lankan Sloth Bears can be noisy and clumsy in their natural habitat. They grunt and snort as they pull down branches to get fruit, dig for termites and ants, or snuffle under debris for grubs and beetles. Their nostrils can close completely, protecting the animals from dust or insects when raiding termite nests or beehives, which also sets them apart from other bears. They also don’t hibernate, and are active during day and night.
If threatened, they are quick, vicious and will stand on two legs, brandishing their clawed fore-paws as weapons. Their natural predators in Sri Lanka are leopards, jackals, and wild dogs, and they are deathly afraid of humans too. Please do not scare or trigger these cute cuddly bears, when you spot them, for their benefit and yours.
Another fun fact: Sloth bears are the only bear species that carry their young around on their back. Talk about being wholesome!
Where to Spot Them:
The Sri Lankan Sloth Bears are characterised as being Vulnerable by the IUCN and are listed on CITES (Convention in the Trade in Endangered Species): Appendix I. According to the reports, there are less than 500 Sloth Bears living in the wild, in Sri Lanka. So, spotting them can be a tough task. They are experts at staying away from predators, and will most likely be hiding in bushes or trees. They are also solitary animals, unless it is a mother bear with her cubs. Yala, and Wilpattu are your best bets.
Images sourced from Thimindu Goonetillake
