Sloth, << slawth or slohth, >> bear is a big, shaggy animal with a mane of fur around its neck and shoulders. It is also called a honey bear because honey is one of its favorite foods. Sloth bears live in the rocky canyons and hills of India and Sri Lanka. They have a short temper and can be dangerous when approached.
The sloth bear is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long and weighs up to 250 pounds (113 kilograms). It has long black fur with a light-colored U-, V-, or Y-shaped patch on the chest. The sloth bear’s snout is gray and almost hairless.
Sloth bears usually eat termites and the larvae (grubs) of bees. They also eat flowers, leaves, fruits, and grain. They will climb anywhere to get at nests of termites or bees. They use their big feet and long claws to rip open termite nests and open tree trunks and branches that hold honeycombs. At a termite nest, they blow away the dust to expose the termites and then suck the insects into their mouths. The sloth bear’s lips, tongue, and teeth are well suited to its feeding habits. It has a long snout, flexible lips, and a long sticky tongue. Its two front teeth are missing in both the upper jaw and lower jaw. The bear draws in its food through this cavity with loud sucking noises.
Sloth bears hunt for food at night. During the day they sleep in protected places, usually in caves along riverbanks. They do not sleep for long periods in the winter as some bears do. Most female sloth bears give birth to one or two cubs at a time. The cubs often ride on their mother’s back, even when the mother climbs trees.
