Malayan sun bear | |
---|---|
A female Malayan sun bear sitting in her enclosure of zoo Basel | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Ursidae |
Genus: | Helarctos |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | H. m. malayanus |
Trinomial name | |
Helarctos malayanus malayanus (Raffles, 1821) |
The Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus malayanus) is a subspecies of sun bear, occurring in southeast Asia. [1] In 2025, Malayan sun bear alongside with Borneon sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus), have been selected to be new campaign mascots for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. [2]
The Malayan sun bear was first described by Stamford Raffles in 1821. [3] The Malayan sun can be found across Malaysia.[ citation needed ]
Although the sun bear is the smallest species in the bear family, its subspecies, the Malayan sun bear is even smaller, with a maximum length of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) and weight of 35–70 kg (77–154 lb). [3] The Malayan sun bear appears very similar to the sun bear, but is distinguishable by its golden-white chest patch, which is thinner than that of the sun bear. [4]
The Malayan sun bear can be found in mainly coastal areas in southeast Asia, but is less dispersed within it than the sun bear, with specific populations living as follows: [1]
Like the sun bear, the Malayan sun bear lives within rainforests (both evergreen and deciduous) of diverse altitudes, ranging from coastal, lowland areas to mountainous regions of above 2,000 m (6,600 ft). [3]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2023) |
Unlike the sun bear, the Malayan sun bear is primarily nocturnal, although it is also active in the daytime. [4] However, equally to the sun bear, they do not hibernate like other bears due to their warm, tropical environment, which provides nutrients all year round. [4]
Similarly to the sun bear, the Malayan sun bear is omnivorous and eats fruit, honey, and nuts. [5] The meat in their diet is composed of insects such as termites, bee larvae and beetle larvae. [3] They can reach these foods with their long tongues (which can reach 30 cm (1 ft)) and claws. [6]
The Malay Peninsula is located in Mainland Southeast Asia. The landmass runs approximately north–south, and at its terminus, it is the southernmost point of the Asian continental mainland. The area contains Peninsular Malaysia, Southern Thailand, and the southernmost tip of Myanmar (Kawthaung). The island country of Singapore also has historical and cultural ties with the region.
The Saint Louis Zoo, officially known as the Saint Louis Zoological Park, is a zoo in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. It is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Admission is free based on a public subsidy from a cultural tax district, the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD); fees are charged for some special attractions. A special feature is the 2 ft narrow-gauge Emerson Zooline Railroad with passenger trains pulled by Chance Rides C.P. Huntington locomotives that encircle the zoo, stopping at the more popular attractions.
The sun bear is a bear species in the family Ursidae occurring in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is the smallest bear species, standing nearly 70 cm (28 in) at the shoulder and weighing 25–65 kg (55–143 lb). It is stockily built, with large paws, strongly curved claws, small, rounded ears and a short snout. The fur is generally short and jet black, but can vary from grey to red. The sun bear gets its name from its characteristic orange to cream-coloured chest patch. Its unique morphology—inward-turned front feet, flattened chest, powerful forelimbs with large claws—suggests adaptations for climbing.
The Malayan tapir, also called Asian tapir, Asiatic tapir, oriental tapir, Indian tapir, piebald tapir, or black-and-white tapir, is the only living tapir species outside of the Americas. It is native to Southeast Asia from the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra. It has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2008, as the population is estimated to comprise fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.
An ursid hybrid is an animal with parents from two different species or subspecies of the bear family (Ursidae). Species and subspecies of bear known to have produced offspring with another bear species or subspecies include American black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears, all of which are members of the genus Ursus. Bears not included in Ursus, such as the giant panda, are expected to be unable to produce hybrids with other bears. The giant panda bear belongs to the genus Ailuropoda.
The Malayan tiger is a tiger from a specific population of the Panthera tigris tigris subspecies that is native to Peninsular Malaysia. This population inhabits the southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula, and has been classified as critically endangered. As of April 2014, the population was estimated at 80–120 mature individuals, with a continuing downward trend.
The oriental pied hornbill is an Indo-Malayan pied hornbill, a large canopy-dwelling bird belonging to the family Bucerotidae. Two other common names for this species are Sunda pied hornbill (convexus) and Malaysian pied hornbill.
The Vancouver Island wolf, also known as the coastal wolf or sea wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf, endemic to the coast of the Pacific Northwest. They are a unique subspecies of wolf due to their semi-aquatic lifestyle, which includes a diet that is almost entirely marine-based.
Cheonggyesan (Korean: 청계산) is a mountain in South Korea. It extends over the district of Seocho District, Seoul, the national capital, and the cities of Gwacheon, Uiwang, and Seongnam in the province of Gyeonggi Province. It has an elevation of 620 m (2,034 ft).
Hkakaborazi National Park is a national park in northern Myanmar with an area of 1,472 sq mi (3,810 km2). It was established in 1998. It surrounds Hkakabo Razi, the highest mountain in the country.
The Tenasserim–South Thailand semi-evergreen rain forests is a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion on Mainland Southeast Asia. The ecoregion extends north–south along the Kra Isthmus. It includes lowland forests along the coasts, and montane forests on the Tenasserim Hills and Bilauktaung range, which form the mountainous spine of the isthmus.
Dong Ampham National Biodiversity Conservation Area is an extensive protected area which covers a significant part of Attapeu Province and Sekong Province in the southeast corner of Laos on the border with Vietnam. It covers the northeastern part of Attapeu Province and southeastern part of Sekong Province.
Wong Siew Te is a Malaysian wildlife biologist known for his studies on the Malayan sun bear and the foundation of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sandakan, Sabah.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is a wildlife conservation and research centre for improving animal welfare and rehabilitation of the Malayan sun bear. It also aims to raise public awareness about the plight of the sun bears and to raise conservation awareness about this species.
The Kalaweit project is a pioneer project in the conservation and protection of the gibbons of Indonesia.
The Johor Zoo is a 12.5 ha -wide zoo in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia with more than 100 animal species in the zoo displayed in 28 exhibits such as macaws, indian peafowl, great white pelican, storks, turtles, tortoises, ostriches, emus, southern cassowaries, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, Asian elephants, dromedary camels, chital deers, mousedeers, malayan tapirs, king cobra, raccoons, malayan porcupines, rhinoceros hornbill, mandrills, celebes crested macaque, marmosets, squirrel monkey, brown capuchin, macaques, hippos, saltwater crocodiles, pythons, iguanas, civets, binturong, leopard cat, asian small-clawed otters, white handed gibbons, sambar deer, gaur, flamingoes, horses, sun bear, African lion and Malayan tigers. It is located 1 km from the city centre and is the only zoo administered by a state government in Malaysia.
The Peninsular Malaysian montane rain forests is an ecoregion on the Malay Peninsula. It occupies the mountainous spine of the peninsula in Malaysia and southernmost Thailand. It is in the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome.
Elaeocarpus stipularis is a tree in the Elaeocarpaceae family. It is found from the Aru Islands, eastern Indonesia, to Philippines, and through Mainland Southeast Asia to Odisha, India. It has edible fruit, its wood is used and some medical uses are ascribed to it.
Tabo–Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Bueng Sam Phan, Nong Phai, Mueang Phetchabun districts of Phetchabun Province and Nong Bua Daeng, Phakdi Chumphon districts of Chaiyaphum Province of Thailand. The sanctuary covers an area of 652 square kilometres (252 sq mi) and was established in 1997.