Asiatic black bear, Tibetan black bear, Himalayan black bear, moon bear:
Not much is not known about the Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus). They are medium sized, black-colored and have light colored muzzles, large ears and a distinct white patch on their chests (sometimes V shaped), and white on their chin.
They are found in southern Asia along the mountains from Afghanistan, through Pakistan and northern India, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan. They are also found in Burma and northeastern China and in southeastern Russia, on Taiwan and the Japanese islands of Honshu and Shikoku. Their home range tends to be 4 to 8 square miles.
They live predominantly in forested areas, in hills and in mountainous areas and are reported to be mainly nocturnal, sleeping in trees or caves during the day. In higher elevations — the northern parts of their range — they den for winter sleep. In the southern parts of their range, where it is quite hot, they are not believed to undergo winter sleep.
Little is known about the social organization of the Asiatic Black Bear and their reproduction. Females are thought to reach sexual maturity around four years of age. Cubs are weaned early — less than six months old, however, they may stay with their mothers for two to three years.
It is estimated that the adult males weigh between 220 to 440 pounts and adult females from 110 to 275 pounds. The adults are betwen 50 to 75 inches in length.
They are reported to eat a wide range of foods, including: fruits, bees’ nests, insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates, and carrion. Some have been known to ocassionally kill domestic livestock.
For more information on these little known bears go to the following websites:
Defenders of Wildlife
International Association for Bear Research & Management
Not much is not known about the Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus). They are medium sized, black-colored and have light colored muzzles, large ears and a distinct white patch on their chests (sometimes V shaped), and white on their chin.
They are found in southern Asia along the mountains from Afghanistan, through Pakistan and northern India, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan. They are also found in Burma and northeastern China and in southeastern Russia, on Taiwan and the Japanese islands of Honshu and Shikoku. Their home range tends to be 4 to 8 square miles.
They live predominantly in forested areas, in hills and in mountainous areas and are reported to be mainly nocturnal, sleeping in trees or caves during the day. In higher elevations — the northern parts of their range — they den for winter sleep. In the southern parts of their range, where it is quite hot, they are not believed to undergo winter sleep.
Little is known about the social organization of the Asiatic Black Bear and their reproduction. Females are thought to reach sexual maturity around four years of age. Cubs are weaned early — less than six months old, however, they may stay with their mothers for two to three years.
It is estimated that the adult males weigh between 220 to 440 pounts and adult females from 110 to 275 pounds. The adults are betwen 50 to 75 inches in length.
They are reported to eat a wide range of foods, including: fruits, bees’ nests, insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates, and carrion. Some have been known to ocassionally kill domestic livestock.
For more information on these little known bears go to the following websites:
Defenders of Wildlife
International Association for Bear Research & Management
