Meet the smallest bear in the world
A yellow U-shaped patch, the longest tongue of its kind... This is the smallest bear in the world, but also one of the rarest. Meet the Malayan Sun Bear.
One of the rarest bears in the world
This is the smallest bear in the world but also one of the rarest. Much smaller than its cousins the brown bear, the giant panda and the polar bear, it is also much lighter: weighing between 25 and 65 kilos on average, whereas polar bears can weigh up to 800 kilos.
Living in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, it spends a lot of time hanging in trees. Unlike other bears, it benefits from its small size and large sickle-shaped claws. Up there, it builds a kind of nest that it uses for shelter. Another surprising feature: its tongue, which is the longest of all bear species. Measuring up to 45 cm, it helps it fetch honey and extract insects from the holes they're hiding in. Its food diet provides several services to the ecosystem. The seeds of the fruits it feeds on are spread through its feces and contribute to the survival of the tropical forest. By eating parasites like termites, it also regulates their population and limits their impact on trees.
However, this bear is listed as "vulnerable" by the IUCN. The reasons: the destruction of the forests on which it depends and hunting. Like its cousin the Asian black bear, with which it shares some habitats, it is targeted by the trade in bear bile, used in traditional Chinese medicine. In Southeast Asia, several organizations are working to protect this unique bear. Recognizable by its short black fur, the yellow u-shaped patch on its chest and its greyish-orange muzzle, this is the Malayan Sun Bear.
Brut.
87 comments
Pam T.
05/30/2021 14:27Sun bears are so beautiful.hope they will always be with us
Robin R.
05/21/2021 10:52You can see them in Sarawak in Borneo at the sanctuary they are awsome rolly Polly teddy bears. I saw them so cute
Tom P.
05/19/2021 12:33The giant panda is not a bear.
Mohd A.
05/15/2021 17:16Chinese medical practitioners are the scum of the earth, enemy to the wildlife! 😭
Javwad A.
05/13/2021 10:16istg it is so beautiful, we must protect this amazing creature at alll costs!
Bonnie D.
05/12/2021 03:20How about that?
Jade A.
05/07/2021 22:37Luke Martin it's winnie 🥰
Kevin N.
05/05/2021 04:11Beautiful sun bears. One small point about video however, pandas are not actually bears at all, just like orcas are not actually whales.
Tariq S.
05/04/2021 12:04Nice
DrMohd K.
05/04/2021 07:11Alhamdulillah
So P.
05/04/2021 06:46Lovely
Hamish M.
05/03/2021 17:00What's up with these stupid people
Ma V.
05/03/2021 16:57dssll;ẻtiophho
Rhona C.
05/02/2021 21:26Beautiful Sun Bear help!
Kitty D.
05/02/2021 17:49Very 😥
Нямдорж Э.
05/02/2021 16:31Mongolian deserts bear Mazaalai. This is so small. Maybi 25-30kg
Ruwan W.
05/02/2021 16:28And less hair, thanks for the video.
Robert G.
05/02/2021 07:40Spends a lot of time in cages with its bile being tapped too
Vicky K.
05/02/2021 01:18Nice
Wingskie W.
05/02/2021 00:33Had the opportunity of saving an orphaned sun bear,mother was probably killed by poacher.Was feisty the little one but managed to capture it and contacted the local wildlife authority.They came the next day to take it to a Sun Bear Conservation sanctuary.Knew deep in my heart it wouldn't survive on it's own and the few friend who wouldn't mind making a quick profit out of the little guy.Still one of my most memorable moment being a part of saving an endangered species.