Asiatic Black Bear

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*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

The Asiatic black bear looks like the American black bear, but has more pronounced ears and a distinctive white or cream “moon” on its chest. In traditional Asian folklore, the moon bear is called the “mountain father” or “mountain uncle”.

Range & Habitat

Also called the moon bear, the Asiatic black bear lives throughout much of southern Asia, Korea, and into northeastern China. They are found in forests, deserts, hill country, thorn bush, mountains, and grassland. They are avid tree climbers when young and may hibernate in the northern parts of their range in the winter season.

Behavior

Black bears are diurnal and may live in family groups. They have a wide range of vocalizations, including grunts, whines, roars, clucks, slurping sounds, and even loud hisses or “screams” in warning or when fighting.

Diet

Moon bears are omnivores and will feed on insects and their larvae, bird eggs, carrion, mushrooms, garbage, fish, small animals, grasses, fruit, nuts, and vegetation.

Omnivore: Consist of shoots, forbs and leaves in spring, insects and a variety of tree and shrub-borne fruits in summer, and nuts in autumn.

Conservation

Although black bears are protected in parts of their range, illegal poaching, fueled by a growing demand for bear parts in the Asian market, is still a major threat to their survival. With the rapidly growing timber industry and decline of environmental awareness throughout the Asia black bear’s survival is perilous.

Fun Facts

• There is a crescent-shaped yellow or cream marking on the chest, which has led to this bear being called the ‘moon bear’ in some areas.

Virginia Zoo Animals

Male: Chai (born: 1/16/2006)