The Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus malayanus) is a subspecies of sun bear, occurring in southeast Asia.[1]

Malayan sun bear
A female Malayan sun bear sitting in her enclosure of zoo Basel
Scientific classification Edit this 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)

Taxonomy

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The Malayan sun bear was first described by Stamford Raffles in 1821.[2] The Malayan sun can be found across Malaysia.[citation needed]

Description

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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).[2] 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.[3]

Distribution and habitat

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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).[2]

Ecology and behavior

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Unlike the sun bear, the Malayan sun bear is primarily nocturnal, although it is also active in the daytime.[3] 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.[3]

Diet

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Similarly to the sun bear, the Malayan sun bear is omnivorous and eats fruit, honey, and nuts.[4] The meat in their diet is composed of insects such as termites, bee larvae and beetle larvae.[2] They can reach these foods with their long tongues (which can reach 30 cm (1 ft)) and claws.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Malayan Sun Bear". Saint Louis Zoo. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  2. ^ a b c d "Malayan sun bear". Bear Conservation. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  3. ^ a b c "Malayan Sun Bear". Malaysian Wildlife. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  4. ^ "Malayan sun bear at Belfast Zoo". Belfast Zoo. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  5. ^ "Malayan Sun Bear". Saint Louis Zoo. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
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