Post by brobear on May 18, 2017 2:33:24 GMT -5
animaldiversity.org/accounts/Melursus_ursinus/
Reproduction
Sloth bears tend to be very noisy during mating (Blomstrom, 2000).
Information on the reproductive behavior of M. ursinus varies. Some studies have them mating mostly between May and July, whereas others report mating and giving birth at any time of year. These differences may be due to the location of the bears studied. Field studies in India found sloth bears to mate mostly in June. On the other hand, field studies in Sri Lanka discovered they mate over a greater part of the year. In captivity, a pair only mates for about 1 to 2 days. Most births occur from September to January. Pregnancy lasts between 6 and 7 months. One to two offspring are usually born, rarely three, but it does occur. Females usually search for a cave or a ground shelter in which to give birth (Ward and Kynaston, 1995; Sanderson, 1972; IBA, 1999; Blomstrom, 2000).
Breeding season
depends on location
Average gestation period
6-7 months
Average gestation period
198 days
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female
1095 days
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male
1095 days
Range number of offspring
1 to 3
verage number of offspring
1.5
After birth (usually in a ground shelter of some sort), sloth bears are blind for about 3 weeks. Following a period of about 4 to 5 weeks the young leave the den. The cubs stay with their mother until they reach adulthood at about 2 to 3 years of age (Ward and Kynasaton, 1995; Blomstrom, 2000). Cubs often ride on the mother's back (Ward and Kynaston, 1995). Males are not reported to participate in parental care.
Reproduction
Sloth bears tend to be very noisy during mating (Blomstrom, 2000).
Information on the reproductive behavior of M. ursinus varies. Some studies have them mating mostly between May and July, whereas others report mating and giving birth at any time of year. These differences may be due to the location of the bears studied. Field studies in India found sloth bears to mate mostly in June. On the other hand, field studies in Sri Lanka discovered they mate over a greater part of the year. In captivity, a pair only mates for about 1 to 2 days. Most births occur from September to January. Pregnancy lasts between 6 and 7 months. One to two offspring are usually born, rarely three, but it does occur. Females usually search for a cave or a ground shelter in which to give birth (Ward and Kynaston, 1995; Sanderson, 1972; IBA, 1999; Blomstrom, 2000).
Breeding season
depends on location
Average gestation period
6-7 months
Average gestation period
198 days
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female
1095 days
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male
1095 days
Range number of offspring
1 to 3
verage number of offspring
1.5
After birth (usually in a ground shelter of some sort), sloth bears are blind for about 3 weeks. Following a period of about 4 to 5 weeks the young leave the den. The cubs stay with their mother until they reach adulthood at about 2 to 3 years of age (Ward and Kynasaton, 1995; Blomstrom, 2000). Cubs often ride on the mother's back (Ward and Kynaston, 1995). Males are not reported to participate in parental care.