Did you know that the character Baloo in “The Jungle Book” was inspired by the sloth bear?

Sloth bears are also known as honey bears because they habitually climb trees to knock down honeycomb.

Scientific Name: Melursus ursinus

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Size: 5-6 feet

Weight: 200-300 pounds

Sloth Bear
Behaviors
The sloth bear uses its long, curved claws to penetrate termite and ant mounds, then sucks the insects out through a gap in its front teeth. The sloth bear’s lips function almost like a vacuum cleaner as it eats. Sloth bears can even close their nostrils to prevent bugs from crawling up their noses while they eat!