Animal Guide

Sun Bear

3 destinations · 3 states

Native Range: Southeast Asia

The sun bear is the smallest of the world's eight bear species, but its compact size does not make it any less active or resourceful. Its short black coat and pale chest marking give each individual a distinctive look, while long claws and powerful limbs help it climb trees with ease. In an exhibit, watch around logs, branches, and feeding areas. A sun bear may stretch into a narrow space, tear apart soft wood, or climb to reach food hidden above the ground. Its exceptionally long tongue is another detail worth noticing. It can reach deep into crevices to collect honey and insects, making feeding time especially interesting to watch. Sun bears also eat plenty of fruit and often use their excellent sense of smell to locate food. In the wild, they live in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and spend considerable time in trees, where they may forage or rest. When one starts investigating its surroundings, the combination of climbing, sniffing, digging, and reaching makes it easy to see how well suited this small bear is to life in the forest.

Sun Bear

Where to see Sun Bear

3 destinations across 3 states

3 destinations

Audubon Zoo

New Orleans, LA

Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Tampa, FL

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