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Post by brobear on Mar 26, 2017 9:09:23 GMT -5
www.bears.org/animals/asiatic-black-bear.php The asiatic black bear has many similarities to its American cousin. Both are medium sized, and black. The ears of the asiatic bear are large and seem inappropriately sized to the rest of its head and those of other bears. These bears have a white patch of fur on their chest, which is often shaped like a V, with some varying amount of white on their chin as well. Occasionally, they can be found in a brown color phase. The asiatic black bears are not as widely studied as the other bears, so very little information is available about their relative size and other statistics. Generally, they have been found to be 50-75 inches in length. The males usually weigh from 220-440 pounds, and the females from 110-275 pounds. These bears can be found throughout Southern Asia. They are known in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sikkim, Northern India, Bhutan, and into Burma. They can also be found in Northeast China, and Southeast Russia, Taiwan, and the Japaneese islands of Honshu and Shikoku. Mostly, these bears live in forested areas, especially hilly and mountainous places. The preferred elevations change seasonally. In summer, asiatic black bears have been spotted at over 9,900 feet--moving to lower elevations as the cold of winter comes on. In the northern parts of their range, they den for winter. Current thinking is that the bears in the southern reaches do not hibernate. The diet of the asiatic black bear is quite diverse. They eat carrion, bee's nests, insects, invertibrates, small vertibrates, and fruit. They have been known to kill domestic livestock, but to what degree they exhibit this predation is not known. They are also known to make daybeds and feeding platforms in nut-bearing trees.
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Post by brobear on Mar 26, 2017 9:14:51 GMT -5
According to Norwalk:
"The Asiatic black bear frequents moist deciduous forests and brushy areas, especially in the hills and mountains. It ascends to elevations as high as 3,600 meters in the summer and descends in the winter. It swims well. According to Lekagul and McNeely (1977), this bear is generally nocturnal, sleeping during the day in hollow trees, caves, or rock crevices. It is also seen abroad by day when favored fruits are ripening. It climbs expertly to reach fruit and beehives. It usually walks on all fours but often stands on its hind legs so that its forepaws can be used in fighting. The diet includes fruit, buds, invertebrates, small vertebrates, and carrion. Domestic livestock is sometimes taken, and animals as large as adult buffalo are killed by breaking their necks."
Nowak RM. 1991. Walker ’s mammals of the world, Vol. I and II. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Univ Press.
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Post by King Kodiak on Oct 6, 2018 17:58:29 GMT -5
The Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus laniger) is a rare subspecies of the Asiatic black bear. Himalayan Bear HABITAT Himalayan black bears are scattered across the Himalayas from Bhutan to Pakistan. They are most populous in mountainous areas and jungles. During the summer, Himalayan black bears can be found in warmer areas in Nepal, China, Russia, and Tibet at altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet up near the timberline. For winter, they descend as low as 5,000 to more tropical forests. CHARACTERISTICS Himalayan black bears have a black coat with a light brown muzzle and a pale yellow crescent on their chest. On average, they measure from 56 to 65 inches nose to tail and weigh from 200 to 265 pounds, though they may weigh as much as 400 pounds in the fall when they are fattening up for hibernation. They are diurnal by nature, though the majority of them have become nocturnal in order to avoid humans. They often spend the day in caves or hollowed out trees. www.bearsoftheworld.net/himalayan_black_bears.asp
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Post by brobear on Nov 8, 2018 5:25:48 GMT -5
www.sizenken.biodic.go.jp/nichiro/Abstracts.pdf The study of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus ussuricus) on the Sikhote-Alin(Russian Far East) S. A. KOLCHIN Institute of Water and Ecological Problems,FEB RAS,Khabarovsk Studies of Asiatic black bear have been conducted for over 14 years (2002-2015) in different areas of the Sikhote-Alin Mountain Range. The following methods were applied: visual observation; studies of trace (including of tracking animals in the snow); remote monitoring (using camera traps); experimental method (work with orphaned bear cubs); morphometry; collecting genetic samples. Main research areas were as follows: 1. Behavioral ecology and ontogeny of behavior. The studies included such topics: nutrition and feeding behavior; behavior in the selection and making bears lairs of various types; behavior during the hibernation; protective behavior using trees; behavior when meeting with humans; behavior in the area of human activities; conflicts with humans. The attention was also given to adaptive abilities and behavioral plasticity of the species under human impacts; social organization and social behavior (intraspecific relationships); interspecific relations (biocenotic bounds with ungulates and large predators; behavioral adaptation to preserve viability in a neighborhood with the tiger (Panthera tigris) and the brown bear (Ursus arctos); the formation of biological behaviors in orphaned bear cubs in the conditions,approximated to natural; comparative ontogeny of behavior of Asian black and brown bears. 2. Rehabilitation of orphaned bear cubs. In 2009-2013 period we worked out methods and techniques of rehabilitation,release in the wild and further monitoring of orphaned bear cubs of Asian black bears and brown bears,based on the method of V.S. Pazhetnov et al. (1999). 21 cubs of both species took part in the experiment. Several cubs born at the zoo also were successfully rehabilitated and released in the wild. 3. Conservation status and prospects of the Asian black bear conservation in Russia. The studies are focused on the present day distribution of this species in Russia,the degree of its areal fragmentation,major negative factors and threats that undermine species conservation in the fauna of Russia. The work also includes developing recommendations for species protection and resolution of conflicts with humans. The aspects of reintroduction are of main concern. 4. Morphology. Morphological features of the species. Age,sex and individual variability. 5. Evaluation of the genetic status at the present stage is focused at collecting genetic samples.
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Post by brobear on Mar 11, 2019 11:19:02 GMT -5
www.activewild.com/asian-black-bear-facts/ Asian black bear facts, pictures, video and in-depth information. The Asian black bear is found in many parts of Asia. It is a capable climber and spends as much as 50% of its life in the trees. Although primarily herbivorous, it is a large, aggressive animal and can be dangerous to humans. Asian Black Bear Facts At A Glance Other Name(s): Asiatic black bear, Himalayan black bear, Tibetan black bear, moon bear, white-chested bear Scientific name: Ursus thibetanus Type of Animal: Mammal Animal Family: Ursidae (the bear family) Where Found: Asia Length: 120 to 190 cm (47 to 75 in) Shoulder Height: 70 to 100 cm (28 to 39 in) Weight: 60 to 200 kg (130 to 440 lb.), male; 40 to 125 kg (88 to 276 lb.), female Conservation Status: Vulnerable Meet The Asian Black Bear: Introduction The Asian black bear is a medium-sized bear found in Asia. It is a close relative of the American black bear (Ursus americanus), and the two are very similar in appearance. There are seven recognized Asian black bear subspecies. There are slight variations in color, markings and size between each subspecies, and they are found in different areas. The Asian black bear is one of the eight living species of bear. Together they make up the family Ursidae (individual members of which are known as ‘ursids’). Bears are mammals, and members of the order Carnivora. Like all bears, the Asian black bear is a sturdily-built, powerful animal. Its shaggy coat is usually black in color, although a few rare brown individuals have been documented. The muzzle is light brown, and the chin whitish. Around the neck is a ruff of longer fur. On the Asian black bear’s chest is a distinct white, cream or yellow patch. This is often shaped like a V. The shape is said to look like a crescent moon, which is why the animal is sometimes called the moon bear. The Asian black bear’s ears are large and round, and proportionally larger than those of any other bear. The species has short hind legs but a powerful upper body, making it a natural tree climber. The bear’s long, curved claws are another adaptation for climbing. Distribution The Asian black bear is only found in Asia. The species is present throughout most of mainland Southeast Asia (except for Malaysia). The eastern part of its range forms a narrow band through Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Myanmar. To the north its range extends to northeastern China, North Korea and the south of Russia’s Far East. Small, isolated Asian black bear populations can also be found on the Japanese islands of Honshu and Shikoku, and on Taiwan and Hainan. Habitat The Asian black bear is found in a range of forest habitats. The bear’s choice of habitat is dependent on geographical location; the species may also be found in alpine meadows and dry, sparsely forested steppe in some parts of its range. The Asian black bear is typically found at sea level to elevations of 3,700 m (12,000 ft.). It migrates to lower ground during the winter months in the northern parts of its range. The bear often moves between habitats in search of food as the seasons change. Behavior The Asian black bear is the most arboreal (tree-dwelling) of the bear species. Depending on the region in which it is found, it may spend as much as half of its time in the trees. It climbs trees to forage for food, to rest, and to avoid predators. The species breaks off branches and twigs to support itself when climbing. One sign that Asian black bears are present in an area is the nest-like platforms that they have built in the trees. The Asian black bear is solitary, only seeking out other individuals during the mating season. Hibernation Pregnant female Asian black bears hibernate during the winter. Males and other females only hibernate in the northernmost reaches of the species’ range. In other areas they migrate to warmer areas during the colder months. The bear’s den may be a ground nest, a hollow tree, a rock crevice or other natural cavity. The den is prepared in October, and the bear sleeps inside it from November to March. Where winters are especially harsh, the bears may enter their dens as early as October and emerge as late as May. Females with cubs are usually the last to emerge. Family Life The Asian black bear mates during the summer (June to August). The gestation period lasts between 6 and 8 months, after which the female gives birth to a litter of 1 to 4 (usually 2) cubs inside the hibernation den. The bear cubs weigh about 370 g (13 oz.) at birth and are born blind and hairless. They are weaned at around 6 months and become independent at 2 to 3 years of age. What Do Asian Black Bears Eat? The Asian black bear is an omnivore. It is opportunistic and adaptable, and feeds on a wide range of plant and animal matter. The bear increases the proportion of insects (such as termites, bees and beetle larvae) in its diet during the spring. In the summer it feeds more frequently on fruits and berries. In the autumn, when the bear is preparing for hibernation, it forages for beechnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts and other nuts and seeds. In tropical and subtropical areas, the bear feeds on fruit all year round. Other foods eaten by the Asian black bear include bamboo shoots, grasses, honey, eggs, mushrooms, grains and wild ungulates (such as wild boar and water buffalo). The bear may also venture into orchards and farmland to feed on crops or to prey on livestock. Predators An adult Asian black bear’s size and aggressive nature means it has few natural predators. Only the tiger presents a major threat. In a surprise attack, a large tiger will usually overcome an Asian black bear. Without the element of surprise, much of the tiger’s advantage is lost and the bear may be able to see off the big cat. Wolves, brown bears, leopards and dholes (Asian wild dogs) may also occasionally attack the Asian black bear. Bear cubs are vulnerable to predation by Eurasian lynxes. Is The Asian Black Bear Endangered? The Asian black bear is rated ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN. The main threats to the species are habitat loss and hunting. Habitat loss: Logging and deforestation for agriculture and road building is a major issue in many countries in which the bear is found. Hunting: The Asian black bear is the most heavily targeted of all the bear species. Local people hunt the species for its gall bladder and bile (both used in traditional medicine), meat and fur. The bears are also hunted as pests, and cubs are sometimes captured for the pet trade. Laws against hunting the species exist in all of the range countries, but are rarely enforced.
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Post by brobear on Mar 11, 2019 13:08:41 GMT -5
animalsake.com/asiatic-black-bear-facts In Pakistan, in a popular sport called Bear Baiting, the Asiatic black bears are made to fight bull terriers, with their claws and teeth removed, so that the bears cannot defend themselves from the onslaught of the dogs. Also known as the Asian black bear, the moon bear, and the white-chested bear, Asiatic black bear or Ursus thibetanus is a species of medium-sized bear, native to Central, Southern, and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the family Ursidae and is very similar to the American black bear, Ursus americanus, with respect to its size, appearance, and behavioral traits. Hence, it has been suggested that both these species may have shared a common ancestor, some four million years ago. Moreover, some scientists have proposed that the Asiatic black bear may be the ancestor of the other existing species of bears. The Asiatic black bear has seven extant subspecies, which include: Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus), native to Taiwan Baluchistan bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus), native to southern Baluchistan Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus), native to Honshū and Shikoku Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger), native to Kashmir, Himalayas, and Sikkim Inchochinese black bear (Ursus thibetanus mupinensis), native to Himalaya and Indochina Tibetan black bear (Ursus thibetanus thibetanus), native to Thailand, Burma, Nepal, the Annam (French Protectorate), and the Indian state of Assam Ussuri black bear (Ursus thibetanus ussuricus), native to the Korean peninsula, southern Siberia, and northeastern China The Asiatic black bear has a thick black fur with a distinctive whitish V-shaped patch on its chest. In fact, this is one of its most distinguishing features. The fur that surrounds the shoulders and throat is longer than that on rest of the body. It bears a large head and bell-shaped ears, which are relatively longer than those of the other bear species. Its limbs are strong and thickly set, which enable the bear to stand and walk in an upright posture. The Asiatic black bear is known to walk on its hind limbs for as far as quarter of a mile. This ursine species has an impressively long snout, giving it a very strong sense of smell. This enables the animal to locate its food and figure out its surroundings. However, much like the other bear species, its senses of vision and hearing are weak. On an average, the body of an Asiatic black bear is 4.6 to 5.4 feet long. Moreover, mature males weigh between 220 - 440 lbs, while the mature females weigh between 143 - 198 lbs. These bears survive up to about 25 years in the wild. However, they are known to survive up to around 30 years in captivity. Originally, the Asiatic black bear was found all over Asia and Europe. However, after the Late Pleistocene period (11,700 million years ago), two of its subspecies viz. the Ursus thibetanus mediterraneus (that was found in western Europe and the Caucasus) and the Ursus thibetanus permjak (that was found in eastern Europe) went extinct. Fossil records show that the bear was also found in France and Germany; however, now its range is limited only to Central, Southern, and Southeast Asia in the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Japan, Russia, Burma, Vietnam, Laos, Taiwan, Bhutan, South Korea, Mongolia, and Cambodia. The bear seems to have disappeared from Malaysia, perhaps owing to the overlapping of its habitat with that of the Sun bear. They are found mainly at lower altitudes in thickly forested areas. However, during summer, they go to elevated regions rising about 1,000 feet high. They are known to inhabit the Asian deciduous and coniferous forests and brush lands. One of the largest arboreal mammals, the Asiatic black bears are excellent tree and rock climbers. Nearly half of their life is spent on trees. While foraging for food high in the trees, they unintentionally build "nests". These nest-like structures are formed when the bears collect twigs, break the branches of the trees, and place them under themselves as they eat while on trees. In these "nests", they also tend to rest for short time spans. Although most Asiatic black bears simply move to lower elevations during winter, some of them residing in the more northern, colder regions, prefer to hibernate. The bears that hibernate in winter, spend their entire autumn consuming foods, such as beechnuts, walnuts, and acorns, which are rich in fat content. The layer of fat that is then formed in their body, keeps them sustained throughout the period of their hibernation. The hibernation season is usually from November to April; however, in the southern parts of Russia, where the winters tend to be very hostile, they are known to hibernate from early October through late May. Researches on their behavioral patterns tell us that the bears are primarily diurnal in nature, meaning that they remain active during the day and sleep during the night. However, owing to the human encroachment of their habitats, they also tend to remain nocturnally active many a time. Known to be particularly solitary in nature, the bears are found together either during their mating season, or while they are defending their territory from a trespasser. In case of an external threat or violent attack, the bear stands upright. This makes the animal appear bigger than it actually is, thus, at times, deterring the enemy. The Asiatic black bears reach the age of maturity when they are four to five years of age.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2019 23:20:22 GMT -5
The asian black bear is just as adaptable as the brown bear. I hope they survive in this world for a long time.
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Post by King Kodiak on Apr 7, 2019 11:30:35 GMT -5
WEIGHT OF HIMALAYAN BLACK BEARS-NORTHERN ASIA.
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Post by King Kodiak on Jun 12, 2019 5:36:09 GMT -5
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Post by brobear on Nov 14, 2019 10:04:43 GMT -5
The Bear Almanac - Second Edition:
Asiatic Black Bear - Asiatic black bears are jet black and glossy; occasionally they are partly brown ( brown color phase ). Their muzzles are brownish and their upper lips usually white. They have a white or orange-yellow crescent ( crest, horseshoe ) on the chest.
Ursus thibetanus. Asiatic Black Bear.
The moon bear of Tibet, the Himalayan black bear, and the Tibetan black bear are names provided to the bear with the thick neck mane. A white, crescent-shaped, medallion-like mark on its chest accounts for the name "moon" bear. The Asiatic black bear lives in a temperate climate, with a portion of its habitat shared with the giant panda. "It is a bear of eastern Asia, filling in the habitat that lies between that of the brown bear to the north and sloth bear and sun bear to the south," according to Paul Shepard and Barry Sanders in The Sacred Paw. Coloration is black, often with a white throat, and there is a highly pronounced, long, manelike mantle of hair around the neck, throat, and shoulders. The fur is soft, and the ears are thickly haired and relatively large. The head appears round, and the body is muscular and broad, with heavier front quarters and shorter legs than the American black bears. Hind legs and feet are slender. Claws are short. The Asiatic black bear spends most of its day in trees, as protection from humans and other predators. It has a prolonged gestation period with delayed implantation and hibernates in northern regions of its range. Though basically shy and cautious, it has adapted to human pressures and is more aggressive than the brown bears of Eurasia. Despite its nasty disposition, it is often trained to perform in captivity. Rudyard Kipling described the Asiatic black bears, with their appearance, many names, outstanding learning ability in captivity, and unpredictable temperament as "the most bizarre of the ursine species." The subspecies Selenarctos thibetanus geodrosianus ( Baluchistan bear ) of Pakistan is considered one of the world's rarest mammals.
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Post by brobear on Dec 31, 2019 17:58:44 GMT -5
bearwithus.org/8-bears-of-the-world/?fbclid=IwAR0kx4pDGjKN6r4l6K07C1ahnw_BM7-4Aq0qkx4ygqX9QdxmD8D1F-tysuI 4-Asiatic black bear, Himalayan black bear, moon bear –Ursus thibetanus Asiatic black bears have long black fur with a distinct white patch on the chest that is often crescent-shaped. The fur around the shoulders and throat is particularly long, and their ears are relatively large. Asiatic black bears live in eastern Asia, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Taiwan and Vietnam. Asiatic black bears are more carnivorous than their American counterparts, although only a small part of their diet is made up of meat. This includes small mammals, birds, fish, molluscs and carcasses. They also feed on grasses, fruits, berries, seeds, insects and honey. In autumn they fatten up for the winter by feeding on nuts. In northern climates they hibernate. In southern climates they do not hibernate. Credit -text- BBC Science and Nature. Photos courtesy of Wildlife S.O.S.
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Post by OldGreenGrolar on Jan 2, 2020 21:47:57 GMT -5
The Asiatic black bear is just as predatory as the American black bear.
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Post by brobear on Oct 15, 2021 2:03:44 GMT -5
news.mongabay.com/2020/04/on-a-mega-reserve-in-laos-rescued-moon-bears-find-a-new-home/ On a mega reserve in Laos, rescued moon bears find a new home. LUANG PRABANG, Laos — The door rattles and I can sense that my diners are getting impatient. Clutching a silver tray that’s overflowing with pumpkin, turnip and sweet potatoes, I have less than 20 minutes to serve my guests. Rather than placing the crudité platter on an elegant dining table, I’ve been asked to hide the root vegetables in between trees, high on lofty wooden platforms, and under rocks dotted around this Laotian landscape. That’s because my diners aren’t regular guests: they’re a group of nine, 100-kilogram (220-pound) Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus), also known as moon bears, that have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. I had joined the Free the Bears charity as a ranger for the day at the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre in Luang Prabang to find out more about their work. After emptying the tray and sweeping the leaves in the enclosure into neat piles, one of the rangers invited me to join her at a viewing platform where I could see the moon bears make light work of my efforts. Thanks to their keen sense of smell, they quickly found the pumpkin I had hidden under a pile of rustic logs and the sweet potatoes that I had hidden as far away as possible, after getting breathless navigating moss-strewn paths and a river fed by the Kuang Si waterfall. Watching them snuffle for food in the undergrowth and playfully wrestle each other in the leaves, it was hard to imagine that these contented-looking creatures were once victims of the illegal wildlife trade. Many were trafficked across borders and found living in small cages at bile farms. Some had been used to entertain tourists. It has been a busy time for Free the Bears. They recently opened a new mega reserve in the hilltops of Laos. The launch was significant, as it marked the beginning of the end for bile farms in the country. With the help of the Lao government, the charity has set itself the aim of closing all the farms by 2022 and rehousing the bears in its new jungle hideaway. Bile farms, which are found in Asian countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, produce bear bile that is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Fluid is harvested from the caged bears’ gallbladders using tubes and unsterilized needles. While China and several Southeast Asian countries have cracked down on the illegal wildlife trade in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic — believed to have started at an animal market in Wuhan — the Chinese government is now reportedly recommending a coronarivus treatment that includes bear bile. “They use the bile to break down gallstones, but there are more than 50 herbal and synthetic alternatives that will do the same job,” said Nikki Brown, technical adviser for Free the Bears Education. While the bears have led tough lives, the team is secure in the knowledge that the mammals feel comfortable in their new home. The sanctuary has already seen its first birth: Two-year-old cub Pi Mai was born at Tat Kuang Si and now lives with four rescued cubs in the nursery. While he is twice the size of the other cubs in the nursery, he is in fact the youngest in the sleuth. The rescued bears are stunted due to poor nutrition, but Pi Mai is fortunate to be nursed by his mother. The extra mouth to feed has made the new sanctuary even more important. The mega reserve is more than 25 times the size of the original sanctuary. It has been a four-year-long project, which they hope to complete by 2021. Set in a quiet mountain valley, the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary includes a wildlife hospital, a nursery for cubs, bear houses, an education center, and accommodations for volunteers. Alongside the bear houses, they have also built sanctuaries for leopards, primates and birds of prey, to help other creatures that have been illegally trafficked. They have also built a Pangolarium, where they house endangered pangolins until they can be released into the wild. “More than 20 different species, many of which are on the IUCN Red List, have been provided with a second chance at life thanks to the creation of this much-needed sanctuary,” said Rod Mabin of Free the Bears. The Free the Bears’ team is keen to continue their work, but the COVID-19 travel restrictions mean they are now limited in what they can do. A veterinary team that recently flew over to treat the animals had to be repatriated to Australia, and all the individual and group bookings for their visitor center have been cancelled. “We’ve suffered a 100% loss in funding from these programs for the foreseeable future, which is quite devastating to us,” Mabin said. But as soon as the fundraising can begin again, they will move forward with their plans. The Free the Bears team has launched the Bear Carer appeal to give the public the chance to support its work by sponsoring the animals and protecting them from bile farms.
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Post by OldGreenGrolar on Oct 15, 2021 9:30:01 GMT -5
If successful, these Asiatic black bears can breed fairly quickly and go back to being non threatened like the American black bears.
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Post by brobear on Jul 4, 2022 1:57:00 GMT -5
A study on Himalayan Brown Bear in India by Rajkishore Mohanta and Prakash Mardaraj. Asiatic Black Bear ( Ursus thibetanus ) Appearance This medium-sized black bear has a light muzzle and a long-haired ruff around the neck. They have a distinct white patch on the chest, which is often in the shape of a V or crescent - like a moon, which gives the bear his common name of Moon Bear. Some bears may be brown in color. Size Adult males range from 100 to 200 kilograms in weight and around 1.9 meters in length. Adult females range from 50 to 125 kilograms. Their long fur often makes them appear larger. Habitat Asiatic black bears live mainly in forested areas and spend much time high up in the trees, where they make nests of broken branches to sleep. In summer, they often live in forested mountain areas, descending to lower elevations during winter. In the northern parts of their range, such as in northern China and Japan, they hibernate in dens during winter. Where these bears are found in more southerly and warmer climates, such as Thailand and Vietnam, the bears do not hibernate. They are nocturnal.
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Post by brobear on Jul 4, 2022 2:09:50 GMT -5
Distribution Asiataic black bears are found over a wide area of southern Asia. They occur along the mountains from Afghanistan, through Pakistan and northern India, Nepal, through to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and north-eastern China. They are also found in southeastern Russia, in Taiwan and Japan. Diet Astiatic black bears feed on a wide range of foods, including many plants, fruits, insects, invertebrates and carrion. They occasionally kill domestic livestock. Threats and Status The bears are threatened by destruction of forest habitat, hunting for gall bladders and body parts. In China, around 9000 Asiatic black bears are kept in small cages in 'Bear Farms' where they have their bile drained each day. Bear bile is used in traditional medicines, wines and tonics in China and other Asian countries. In Pakistan they are used as dancing bears and for the cruel sport of bear baiting. Numbers unknown but believed to be around 60,000 left in the wild.
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Post by brobear on Nov 16, 2022 3:39:33 GMT -5
Ursus thibetanus - Asiatic black bear animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ursus_thibetanus/ Ursus thibetanus is widely distributed. Asiatic black bears can be found north of Pakistan, south of Afghanistan, east of the Himalayans, north of Vietnam, south of China, and in Thailand. Asiatic black bears live in moist forests, on steep mountains, and in areas where the vegetation is thick. They live at higher elevations in the summer, and descend during the winter. Occasionally, they come out of the forests to forage on plains. The size differs between males and females. The size differs between males and females. Males typically weigh 110 to 150 kg, while females weigh 65 to 90 kg. The head and body measure 120 to 180 cm in length, while the tail is an additional 6.5 to 10.6 cm. The head is large and rounded, and the eyes are small. The ears are large and are set farther apart than on an American black bear. The body is heavy, the legs are thick and strong, and the paws are broad. The stance is plantigrade. The tail is short and is barely visible under a long, coarse coat. The black pelage has a light beige to white “V” shape on the chest area, a small beige to white colored crescent across the throat, and a small spot of white on the chin. The white fur on the muzzle seldom reaches the orbits of the bear. The skull of U. thibetanus is typical of the Suborder Caniformia, bearing a long rostrum. However, the orbits are typically smaller than those of most caniforms. The width of the mastoid rarely exceeds the length of the palate. The auditory bullae are flat. The muzzle is long and narrow, and does not extend very far over the canines. The dental formula is usually 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 2/3 = 42. However, the premolars can sometimes be lost as the bear ages. The postcarnassial teeth are enlarged, and occlusal surfaces are adapted to crushing. Normally, there is a diastema between the premolars. The upper carnassial of U. thibetanus is triangular. The head and body measure 120 to 180 cm in length, while the tail is an additional 6.5 to 10.6 cm. The head is large and rounded, and the eyes are small. The ears are large and are set farther apart than on an American black bear. The body is heavy, the legs are thick and strong, and the paws are broad. The stance is plantigrade. The tail is short and is barely visible under a long, coarse coat. The black pelage has a light beige to white “V” shape on the chest area, a small beige to white colored crescent across the throat, and a small spot of white on the chin. The white fur on the muzzle seldom reaches the orbits of the bear. The skull of U. thibetanus is typical of the Suborder Caniformia, bearing a long rostrum. However, the orbits are typically smaller than those of most caniforms. The width of the mastoid rarely exceeds the length of the palate. The auditory bullae are flat. The muzzle is long and narrow, and does not extend very far over the canines. The dental formula is usually 3/3, 1/1, 4/4, 2/3 = 42. However, the premolars can sometimes be lost as the bear ages. The postcarnassial teeth are enlarged, and occlusal surfaces are adapted to crushing. Normally, there is a diastema between the premolars. The upper carnassial of U. thibetanus is triangular.
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Post by brobear on Nov 16, 2022 3:43:52 GMT -5
Males typically weigh 110 to 150 kg (242.51 pounds to 330.69 pounds) while females weigh 65 to 90 kg (143.30 pounds to 198.42 pounds).
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Post by brobear on Nov 16, 2022 3:44:54 GMT -5
Little is known about Asiatic black bears in the wild; most of what is known about their social and reproductive behavior has been collected by observing the bears in zoos and environments other than their natural habitat.
In captive environments, the mating pattern of Asiatic black bears is classified as promiscuous. Females enter periods of estrus and non-estrus at irregular intervals, and undergo mating for 12 to 35 days. For males above the age of 6 years, larger bears spend more days mating than smaller males. There is a social hierarchy related to the age and body weight of male bears and only larger males mate with the females. Those of small size (those weighing less than 80 kg) have reduced chances of mating.
In the wild, Asiatic black bears typically forage alone. However, during breeding season, pairs can be seen hunting and gathering together. The reproductive patterns vary widely in the different populations of U. thibetanus. In Siberia, mating takes place in June or July, with the births occurring in February, typically. In Pakistan, mating occurs in October, and births occur in February. Across the species, breeding usually begins when U. thibetanus is 3 to 4 years old. The pregnancy lasts from 7 to 8 months, and cubs are born in a cave or hollow tree in early winter. There are usually 2 cubs per litter, and the cubs typically weigh about 8 to 10.5 ounces. Asiatic black bears are thought to have delayed implantation where the embryo floats freely in the womb before it implants in the uterine lining, though this is not known definitively. Studies conducted on pregnant and nonpregnant bears show that concentrations of serum progesterone (P4) and prolactin (PRL) might be connected with the process of delayed implantation in U. thibetanus. Lower concentrations of both P4 and PRL are found in nonpregnant bears. Increased concentrations of these cause the activation of the corpus luteum, which prepares the uterus for implantation. Rising levels of both P4 and PRL are found to occur approximately two months after copulation. Therefore the duration of the delayed implantation in U. thibetanus is around two months. It is not yet known whether delayed implantation occurs all of the time in U. thibetanus, or only under certain circumstances. It is also not yet known what causes the levels of the particular hormones under study to change, though it may be due to environmental cues or in response to other hormones circulating in the body.
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Post by brobear on Nov 16, 2022 3:45:44 GMT -5
The cubs of U. thibetanus cannot open their eyes until 1 week has passed, and they are not fully weaned until just over 3 months. The cubs live with their mother until they are 2 to 3 years old. Not much is known about the type of care that parents provide in the wild, due to the lack of studies of behavior outside of captive environments. Little is known about lifespan in U. thibetanus, especially out in the wild. There are few resources available for information on lifespan in the wild or in captivity.
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