The Asiatic black bear’s scientific name means “moon bear of Tibet” because of the large, white crescent-shaped mark appearing on its chest. These medium sized bears are highly adaptable forest animals. They spend most of their time in trees, avoiding predators and humans.
Asiatic Black Bear, the cub
Habitat
- Live in forests – primarily in hilly or mountainous areas from the base of coastal foothills to approximately 13,000 feet.
- During the summer, they most often are found at higher elevations. They stay at or descend to lower elevations during winter.
Distribution
- Live in Iran, Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, east through the Himalayas, south to Bangladesh and Laos, and north through the Tibetan Plateau.
- Populations may also be found on Taiwan and on the Japanese Islands of Honshu and Shikoku. This population is called the Japanese black bear.
Physical Characteristics
Color
- Jet-black fur with a brown/tan muzzle and a whitish chin.
- Hair around neck and shoulders is thick and long with a mane-like appearance.
- Bears found in higher altitudes of the northern regions have a thicker coat.
Size
- Medium sized bears, weighing 200-225 pounds (90-101 kg).
- Large males can weigh over 400 pounds (180 kg), although this is rare.
- Usually between 55-65 inches (140-165 cm) long.
Features
- Ears are large and set far apart on their large, round heads.
- Short, strong claws used for climbing trees, opening termite mounds and peeling bark to eat.
Diet
- Omnivorous; eat termites, beetle larvae, honey, fruits, berries, and carrion.
- Sometimes prey on goats, sheep, and cattle.
- Peel bark from trees to eat the exposed sapwood (often results in the death of valuable timber trees).
Behavior
Daily Activity
- Nocturnal, often sleeping all day in a cave or hollow tree.
- Come out at dusk to look for food.
- Generally sit in the high fork of a tree to access their favorite foods. Where they sit is called a “bear’s nest.”
- The “bears’ nests” look much like birds’ nests and can be found over 60 feet (18 m) high in cherry, beech, oak, or dogwood trees.
Hibernation
- Some Asian black bears hibernate while others remain active all year, depending on habitat and how cold it gets.
- In colder northern regions, most den from November to March in hollow logs.
- Bears in southern parts of their range may sleep for short periods of time or descend to a lower elevation to find food.
Reproduction
- Usually mate in the spring or autumn, depending on location.
- Like North American black bears, Asiatic black bears delay implantation of the embryo until conditions are right for giving birth.
- Usually two cubs in winter or early spring.
- At birth, cubs weigh only about 1/2 pound each.
- At one month, cubs begin to follow their mother as she finds food.
- Usually cubs remain with the mother for two years.
People and Asiatic Black Bears
- Feared by humans because they have been known to kill livestock and attack people.
- Legal protection has been difficult to establish (some governments encourage trapping of bears).
- Chinese use bear parts (meat, gall bladders and bones) for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
- Bears may also be captured as cubs and trained to ride bicycles and dance.
- Currently, serious conservation efforts are unlikely because local people are so afraid of bears.
- If the present rate of hunting continues, these bears may become extinct.
