Deep inside the dry forests of Sri Lanka lives a rare and special animal – the Sri Lankan sloth bear, melursus ursinus inornatus. With its long shaggy fur, strong claws and super-sniffing nose, this bear might not be famous like polar bears or grizzlies, but it’s just as amazing. And guess what?
You can only find it in Sri Lanka, which makes it another interesting endemic species that lives only on our beautiful isle-and nowhere else in the world.
What does it look like?
The Sri Lankan sloth bear is a medium-sized bear, covered in thick black fur. Its fur is longer and messier than other bears, which helps keep it cool in the hot forests. It has a long, hairless snout, small eyes and very big, curved claws. One of its most special features is a white patch on its chest, shaped like a “V” or a “Y.” Every bear’s patch is a little different, like a fingerprint.
What does it eat?
This bear has a very interesting diet. Instead of hunting big animals, it prefers eating fruits, insects and honey. It especially loves termites and ants. Using its strong claws, it tears open termite mounds and then uses its lips to slurp up the insects, making loud snorting and sucking sounds. It also loves wild fruits and sometimes raids beehives to get sweet honey—yum!
Because of its diet, people sometimes call it a lippu walaha in Sinhala, which means “lip bear.” It’s also sometimes nicknamed the “honey bear” because of its sweet tooth.
When and where does it live?
The Sri Lankan sloth bear is mostly nocturnal, which means it comes out at night. During the day, it rests in caves, hollow trees, or thick bushes. It lives in the dry forests and grasslands of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka, especially in places like Yala, Wilpattu, and the Wasgamuwa National Parks.
Are they dangerous?
These bears are usually shy and scared of people and they try to avoid humans. But if they are surprised or feel threatened, they can become very defensive. That’s why it’s important not to disturb them or get too close if you ever see one in the wild.
Why are they in trouble?
Sadly, the Sri Lankan sloth bear is endangered, which means there are only a few left in the wild. The biggest danger to them is habitat loss—when forests are cut down for farms or buildings, the bears lose their homes and food. Sometimes they wander into villages looking for food and this can cause conflict with people.
How can we help?
* Protect their forests: Saving their homes keeps them safe.
* Learn and teach others: The more people know about these bears, the more they’ll care.
* Support conservation efforts: Parks and wildlife groups work hard to protect them, it’s up to us to support them the best we can.
Fun fact
* They can climb trees to look for fruits or escape danger.
* Mama bears carry their cubs on their backs—adorable.
* They have an amazing sense of smell, even better than dogs.
* Let’s all be forest friends and help protect the Sri Lankan sloth bear, one of the coolest, cuddliest but wildest creatures living in our forests.
