Wildlifeof India
Asian Black Bear
Bears, Dogs, Otters & Red Panda
Photo: Timur Kalininsky · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Ursus thibetanus
Basic stats
Diet
Omnivorous: fruit, nuts, acorns, shoots, insects, honey, carrion and eggs
Habitat
Forested hills and mountains, up to about 3,500m in summer in the Himalayas
Litter size
1–4 cubs, usually 2
Gestation period
200–240 days
Size
Length 120–190cm; shoulder 70–100cm
Weight
Males 60–200kg; females 40–125kg
The Asian black bear, or moon bear, is a medium-sized bear with black fur, a light brown muzzle and a whitish or cream patch on the chest, which is often V-shaped. The bell-shaped ears are large for a bear and stick out sideways, and the tail is short. It is lighter and smaller than the brown bear, with larger, more mobile lips. It is well adapted to climbing and spends much of its life in trees, breaking branches to make platforms it feeds from (Wikipedia, general species account).
In India it is patchily distributed through the foothills of the Himalaya. Across its range it is mainly active by day but turns nocturnal near people. It does not hibernate over most of its range; in colder northern areas some bears do, and others move to lower ground, though nearly all pregnant females den through winter. Sows give birth in winter or early spring after 200–240 days, and cubs stay with the mother for 2–3 years (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Asian Black Bear eat?
- Omnivorous: fruit, nuts, acorns, shoots, insects, honey, carrion and eggs
- What habitat does the Asian Black Bear live in?
- Forested hills and mountains, up to about 3,500m in summer in the Himalayas
- What is the litter size of the Asian Black Bear?
- 1–4 cubs, usually 2
- How long is the gestation period of the Asian Black Bear?
- 200–240 days
- How big is the Asian Black Bear?
- Length 120–190cm; shoulder 70–100cm
- How much does the Asian Black Bear weigh?
- Males 60–200kg; females 40–125kg