The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is a myrmecophagous bear species native to the Indian subcontinent. It feeds on fruits, ants and termites. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, mainly because of habitat loss and degradation.[1] It is the only species in the genus Melursus. It has also been called "labiated bear" because of its long lower lip and palate used for sucking up insects.[2] It has a long, shaggy fur, a mane around the face, and long, sickle-shaped claws. It is lankier than brown and Asian black bears. It shares features of insectivorous mammals and evolved during the Pleistocene from the ancestral brown bear through divergent evolution. Sloth bears breed during spring and early summer and give birth near the beginning of winter. When their territories are encroached upon by humans, they sometimes attack them. Historically, humans have drastically reduced these bears' habitat and diminished their population by hunting them for food and products such as their bacula and claws. Sloth bears have been tamed and used as performing animals and as pets.[3]
Sloth Bear
Species
for Species in Shere Khan, Lord of the Jungle
Suggested by adrianabengozarlopez
After his pregnant mate Durga is killed by the man-village poacher, Buldeo, Shere-Khan vows to hate all humans. Years later, in the man-village, a couple and their new-born ‘man-cub’ have inherited riches. Buldeo, wanting the inheritance, murders the couple, while their basket, carrying the baby, washes into the jungle. Soon, Shere-Khan and his cave-lodger, Tabaqui the jackal, find the baby. Shere Khan, still hating humans, reluctantly brings the baby to his cave. Over the next few days, with the help of Tabaqui, Bagheera the panther, and Baloo the bear, Shere-Khan grows fond of the baby. Shere-Khan and Bagheera argue about where the baby belongs. Buldeo soon kidnaps the baby, plotting to dispose of him to claim the inheritance. Shere-Khan and Bagheera sneak into the man-village at night, to Buldeo’s fur-hut, and they find that Bhadra, the alpha of a vicious pack of dholes in the jungle, has been captured/caged by Buldeo. After saving the baby, Shere-Khan reluctantly frees Bhadra. Leaving the baby with Bagheera, Shere-Khan confronts Buldeo. After a tense fight, Buldeo is caught in his own tigertrap. Shere-Khan now has the human, who took his mate, at his mercy. However, Shere-Khan lets Buldeo get finished off by Bhadra and his pack, who let Shere-Khan leave for freeing Bhadra. Shere-Khan and Bagheera emotionally have the baby adopted by a wolf-pack, who call the baby ’Mowgli’. Shere-Khan decides to go to the distant parts of the jungle, with Tabaqui accompanying him.
