Humans and bears - Wild encounters

[Vinay]

(11-21-2016, 06:11 PM)brotherbear Wrote: Compared with a sun bear or a black bear ( Asiatic or American ) the sloth bear is a slow and awkward climber. On any video or documentary I have yet to witness a sloth bear darting up a tree to escape danger, such as a leopard or a tiger. He either runs or fights. Also, feeds heavily upon ants and termites. 

Beyond insects, sloth bears feast on a variety of fruit and flowers, including mango, fig, and ebony. They are also known to scale the occasional tree to knock down a bee honeycomb, which they will then enjoy on the ground below. It is this habit that’s given rise to their nickname, honey bears.

They are capable of galloping faster than running humans.[17] Although they appear slow and clumsy, sloth bears are excellent climbers, including cubs.[18] They climb to feed and rest, though not to escape enemies, as they prefer to stand their ground.

They are capable of climbing on smooth surfaces and hanging upside down like sloths.[11] They are good swimmers, and primarily enter water to play.Sloth bears are the most nocturnal of bears.Sloth bears are extremely fond of honey.

The large canine teeth of sloth bears, relative to both its overall body size and to the size of the canine teeth of other bear species, and the aggressive disposition of sloth bears may be a defense in interactions with large, dangerous species such as tigers, elephants, and rhinoceroses. Sloth bears occasionally chase leopards from their kills.Asian elephants apparently do not tolerate sloth bears in their vicinity. The reason for this is unknown, as individual elephants known to maintain their composure near tigers have been reported to charge bears.[5] The Indian rhinoceros has a similar intolerance for sloth bears, and will charge at them

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