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External Websites
- CORE - Hematological Profiles of the Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos Malayanus) Kept in Captivity
- LiveScience - Sun bear: The little carnivores that look so similar to humans they've been mistaken for people wearing costumes
- A-Z Animals - Sun Bear
- International Association for Bear Research and Management - Helarctos malayanus (Sun bear)
- Clark Science Center at Smith College - Helarctos malayanus
- CNN - World’s smallest bear finally has its time in the sun. But is that a good thing?
- Animal Diversity Web - Sun bear
- World Wide Fund For Nature - Sun Bear
- National Geographic - Animals - Sun Bear
- Animalia - Sun Bear
- National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Rediscovery of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - Animals & Plants - Sun Bear
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
- sun bear - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- sun bear - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
Also known as: Helarctos malayanus, Malayan sun bear, Ursus malayanus, bruang, honey bear
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
- Also called:
- bruang, honey bear, or Malayan sun bear
- Related Topics:
- Helarctos
See all related content
sun bear, (Helarctos malayanus), the smallest bear in the world, found in Southeast Asian forests. It weighs only 27–65 kg (59–143 pounds) and grows 1–1.2 metres (3.3–4 feet) long with a 5-cm (2-inch) tail. Its large forepaws bear long curved claws, which it uses for tearing or digging in its search for insect nests and colonies, particularly those of bees and termites. Other items in its omnivorous diet include fruit, honey, and small vertebrates.
Generally nocturnal, the tree-climbing sun bear is shy and retiring but quite intelligent. It has an orange-yellow chest crescent that, according to legend, represents the rising sun. Other light-coloured features (often including its muzzle and feet) contrast with its black coat of short coarse fur.
Sun bears live solitary lives, except when females are raising cubs. Studies of captive sun bears in zoos suggest that female bears typically give birth to a single cub, which remains with her for about three years before it becomes sexually mature and fully independent.
Britannica QuizAnimal Group NamesThe International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources classifies the sun bear as a vulnerable species. Sun bear populations have fallen primarily because of habitat loss and hunting. However, they also face other threats. Sun bears are considered pests in agricultural areas because of their habit of raiding crops and attacking livestock. They are hunted for their gall bladders and other body parts for use in traditional medicine, and young bears are sometimes captured for the pet trade.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
