Malayan sun bear

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Malayan sun bear
Sitting sun bear.jpg
A female Malayan sun bear sitting in her enclosure of zoo Basel
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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 along with the Bornean sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus), have been selected to be new campaign mascots for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. [2]

Contents


Taxonomy

The Malayan sun bear was first described by Stamford Raffles in 1821. [3] The Malayan sun can be found across Malaysia.[ citation needed ]

Description

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,[ clarification needed ] but is distinguishable by its golden-white chest patch, which is thinner than that of the sun bear. [4]

Distribution and habitat

The Malayan sun bear can be found in mainly coastal areas in southeast Asia, but is less dispersed within it than the sun bear,[ clarification needed ] 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]

Ecology and behavior

Unlike the sun bear,[ clarification needed ] 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]

Diet

Similarly to the sun bear,[ clarification needed ] 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]

References

  1. 1 2 "Malayan Sun Bear". Saint Louis Zoo. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  2. "Sun bear to be face of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, symbol of conservation and charm". Malay Mail. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Malayan sun bear". Bear Conservation. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  4. 1 2 3 "Malayan Sun Bear". Malaysian Wildlife. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  5. "Malayan sun bear at Belfast Zoo". Belfast Zoo. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  6. "Malayan Sun Bear". Saint Louis Zoo. Retrieved 2023-11-12.