Content
- Origin of the Malay Bear
- Physical Characteristics of the Malay Bear
- Malay bear behavior
- Malay bear reproduction
- conservation state
O malay bear (Malayan Helarctos) is the smallest among all bear species recognized today. In addition to their small size, these bears are very peculiar both in their appearance and morphology, as in their habits, standing out for their preference for warm climates and their incredible ability to climb trees.
In this form of PeritoAnimal, you can find relevant data and facts about the origins, appearance, behavior and reproduction of the Malay bear. We will also talk about its conservation status, as unfortunately its population is in a vulnerable state due to the lack of protection of its natural habitat. Read on to find out all about the Malay Bear!
Source
- Asia
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- China
- India
- Vietnam
Origin of the Malay Bear
the malay bear is a Southeast Asian native species, inhabiting tropical forests with stable temperatures between 25ºC and 30ºC and a large volume of precipitation throughout the year. The greatest concentration of individuals is found in the Cambodia, Sumatra, Malacca, Bangladesh and in the midwest of Burma. But it is also possible to observe smaller populations living in northwest India, Vietnam, China and Borneo.
Interestingly, Malay bears are not strictly related to any of the other types of bears, being the only representative of the genus. Helarctos. This species was first described in mid-1821 by Thomas Stamford Raffles, a Jamaican-born British naturalist and politician who became widely recognized after founding Singapore in 1819.
Currently, two subspecies of malay bear are recognized:
- Helarctos Malayanus Malayanus
- Helarctos malayanus euryspilus
Physical Characteristics of the Malay Bear
As we anticipated in the introduction, this is the smallest bear species known today. A male Malay bear usually measures between 1 and 1.2 meters bipedal position, with a body weight between 30 and 60 kilos. Females, on the other hand, are visibly smaller and thinner than males, generally measuring less than 1 meter in an upright position and weighing around 20 to 40 kilos.
The Malay bear is also easy to recognize thanks to its elongated body shape, its tail so small it's hard to see with the naked eye, and its ears, which are also small. On the other hand, it highlights its paws and a very long neck in relation to its body length, and a really big tongue that can measure up to 25 centimeters.
Another characteristic feature of the Malay bear is the orange or yellowish stain that adorns your chest. Its coat is composed of short, smooth hairs that can be black or dark brown, with the exception of the muzzle and eye region, where yellowish, orange or whitish tones are usually observed (usually matching the color of the spot on the chest) . The Malay Bear's paws feature "naked" pads and very sharp and curved claws (hook shaped), which allows you to climb trees very easily.
Malay bear behavior
In their natural habitat, it is very common to see Malay bears climbing tall trees in the forests in search of food and warmth. Thanks to their sharp, hook-shaped claws, these mammals can easily reach the treetops, where they can. harvest the coconuts that they like so much and other tropical fruits, like banana and cocoa. He is also a great honey lover and they take advantage of their climbs to try to find one or another bee hive.
Speaking of food, the Malay bear is a omnivorous animal whose diet is based mainly on the consumption of fruits, berries, seeds, nectar from some flowers, honey and some vegetables such as palm leaves. However, this mammal also tends to eat insects, birds, rodents and small reptiles to supplement the supply of protein in their nutrition. Eventually, they can capture some eggs that supply your body with protein and fat.
They usually hunt and feed during the nights, when temperatures are milder. As it does not have a privileged view, the Malay bear mainly uses its excellent sense of smell to find food. In addition, its long, flexible tongue helps it to harvest nectar and honey, which are some of the most precious foods for this species.
Malay bear reproduction
Given the warm climate and balanced temperatures in its habitat, the Malay bear does not hibernate and can reproduce throughout the year. In general, the couple stays together throughout the gestation and the males are usually active in raising the young, helping to find and collect food for the mother and her young.
Like other types of bears, the Malay bear is a viviparous animal, that is, the fertilization and development of the offspring occur inside the female's womb. After mating, the female will experience a 95 to 100 days gestation period, at the end of which she will give birth to a small litter of 2 to 3 puppies that are born with about 300 grams.
In general, offspring will remain with their parents until their first year of life, when they are able to climb trees and fetch food on their own. When the offspring separate from their parents, the male and female can stay together or break up, being able to meet again in other periods to mate again. There is no reliable data on the life expectancy of the Malay bear in its natural habitat, but the average captive longevity is around approximately 28 years old.
conservation state
Currently, the Malay bear is considered to be vulnerability state according to the IUCN, as its population has declined significantly in recent decades. In their natural habitat, these mammals have few natural predators, such as big cats (tigers and leopards) or the great Asian pythons.
Therefore, the main threat to your survival is hunting., which is mainly due to the attempt by local producers to protect their banana, cocoa and coconut plantations. Its bile is still frequently used in Chinese medicine, which also contributes to the perpetuation of hunting. Eventually, bears are also hunted for the livelihood of local families, as their habitat extends over some economically very poor regions. And regrettably, it is still common to see "recreational hunting excursions" aimed primarily at tourists.