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The Sri Lankan sloth bear (Melursus ursinus inornatus) is a subspecies of sloth bear found exclusively on the island of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan sloth bears have shaggy black fur with a distinctive whitish or yellowish V-shaped or U-shaped mark on their chest. This marking is unique to each individual, similar to a fingerprint. They have long, curved claws adapted for digging termites and ants, their primary food sources.
Adult males can weigh between 80 to 140 kilograms (176 to 309 pounds), while females are generally smaller.
They inhabit dry forests, scrublands, and grasslands across Sri Lanka, preferring areas with dense vegetation for cover and water sources nearby. Their range historically extended throughout the island, but today they are primarily found in protected areas such as Yala National Park and Wilpattu National Park.Sri Lankan sloth bears are primarily nocturnal and solitary, though mothers may be accompanied by their cubs.
They are omnivorous, with a diet primarily consisting of termites and ants, which they extract using their long claws and strong jaws. They also consume fruits, berries, and occasionally small mammals or birds. Female sloth bears typically give birth to 1 to 3 cubs, usually in a den or a hollow tree, after a gestation period of around 6 to 7 months. Cubs are born blind and helpless, relying on their mother for nourishment and protection. They remain with their mother for about 2 years before becoming independent.
