Smallest species of bear

The smallest species of bear is the Malayan sun bear (Ursus malayanus, or Helarctos malayanus) of subtropical India and south-east Asia. Named after the golden crescent patch that appears on the chest of the otherwise black bear, an average adult has a body length of 1.1–1.5 metres (3 feet 7 inches–4 feet 11 inches), weighs 30–65 kilograms (66–143 pounds) and stands 70 centimetres (2 feet 3 inches) at the shoulder. As is typical among Ursidae, sun bears are sexually dimorphic, with males generally 10–20% larger than females.

Being excellent climbers, sun bears adeptly use their long tongue and claws – up to 15 cm (6 in) long – to gather fruit in the trees or dig for honey and grubs. Due to unregulated loss of habitat and hunting, their total population is in decline and they are currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.