SLOTH BEAR
Local name : Bhalu,Rinchh
Physical measurement & life cycle
Length : 150-160 cm
Weight : 110-100 kg
Height : 70-100 cm
maturity : 2-3 years
Gestation : 7 months
Litter size : 2
Life span : 35-40 years
Breeding : Summer
* Description
Long black hairs on entire body except mouth. white"v" shaped patch on breast. Muzzle and lower lip elongated.
* Food
Omnivorous.It consumes flowers,fruits,honey,various types of in sects and termites.
* Distribution
Sloth bear exists in the forests of banaskantha,panchmahal,dahod and Sabarkantha districtes,chhotaudepur and shoolpaneshwar.There might be 230-250 bears in Gujarat
* Habitat
Prefers rocky forest areas with caves.
* Behaviour
Chiefly nocturnal. Sloth bear generally lives in and around dense forest area having rocks and water is available.It comes out of its den/cave and moves in search of food after the sun-set. It can be seen near fruit trees/shrubs like 'ber','mahuda',mango & jamun in fruiting season.
* Signs of presence
Foot prints,"whoo-whoo" Like sound,fallen hair on bark of trees.
Sloth bear is an omnivorous animal. Usually insects and fruts constitute its main food,but also feed on honey and carrion. To maintain its huge body,it needs considerable amount of food and to get it,the bear walks a lot work hard every day.By climbing up the trees/rocks,it knock down honeycombs of the large rock bee and small forest bee using its paws and eat them after descending from the toddy.
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