my care2
make a difference

community & fun

shares

share your passions, stories, inspirations, and more

Moon Bears (Asiatic Black Bear)
Mar 9, 2008

Asiatic black bear, Tibetan black bear, Himalayan black bear, moon bear
Ursus thibetanus Their ability to balance proficiently on their hind feet mean that they are sometimes trained as cubs to dance for human amusement.

Life span
25 years.

Statistics
Body length: 130-190cm, Weight: males: 100-200kg, female: 50-125kg.

Physical Description
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.

Distribution
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.

Habitat
They inhabit forested areas, particularly hill and mountainous regions.

Diet
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.

Behaviour
Asiatic black bears are solitary except for maternal family groups, and occupy a home range of 10-20 square km. They are most active at night, although in some areas they may be active during the day as well.

Reproduction
Asiatic black bears mate from June to July and give birth during January and February. Females give birth to 1-4 cubs, which are born blind and helpless.

Conservation status
The subspecies U.t.gedrosianus (Baluchistan) is listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered, but other subspecies are classified as Vulnerable. They are on CITES: Appendix I. Deforestation and loss of habitat are the main problems they face. They are killed by farmers due to the threat they pose to livestock, and they are also unpopular for their habit of stripping valuable timber trees of bark and reducing the value. Asiatic black bears are also hunted for their gall bladders, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Notes
Unlike American black bears, Asiatic black bears are notoriously aggressive towards humans and there are numerous records of human attacks and killings. This is mainly due to the fact that they are more likely to come into contact with humans, and they will often attack if surprised.  
Visibility: Everyone
Posted: Sunday March 9, 2008, 1:16 pm
Tags: [add/edit tags]

Group Discussions start a discussion
Comments
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
Compose your comment and submit:

Author

Arlette S.
Author Tools:
Compose New Share
female , married, 4 children
Bidogno, Ticino, Switzerland
ARLETTE'S SHARES
Aug
30
(0 comments  |  discussions )
A HAPPY END STORY ! worth to see and do not forget : HUNTING season is starting in Spain and thousands of animals and dogs (especially Galgos) will loose their lives due to hunters cruelty ! http://www.care2.com/news /member/952597861/863289 http:/...
Mar
15
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Did you ever think about what happens with unwanted pets? Did you ever think about what happens with unwanted pets when euthanisation is not allowed? If you really want to know, visit one of the 5000 of private pet-LAGER in Italy. These shelters are P...
Feb
23
(0 comments  |  discussions )
"The greatest wisdom is in simplicity," &q uot;Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness". It's not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free. It's encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Grea...


ads keep care2 free
SHARES FROM ARLETTE'S NETWORK
Dec
23
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://www.thepetitionsit e.com/1/cuddles-dies-from -torture
Dec
22
(0 comments  |  discussions )
by Lisa Hernandez SANTA ANA, Calif. -- The owners of a prize-winning bulldog have doubled the reward for his safe return to $2,000. The dog used to go to work with his owner every day at a print shop in Santa Ana, but Bubba apparently snuck out of...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
** SPECIAL ALERT!  ** Buffalo Field Campaign Dear Friends of the Buffalo,Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the translocation of quarantined Yellowstone bison and is seeking your inpu...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Thanks to all the members and supporters   GROUPS World Wide - Legal Action 4 animal rights http://www.care2.com/c2c/ group/LAAR http://groups.myspace.com /LegalAction4AnimalRights http://pets.groups.yahoo. com/group/LegalAction4Ani malRights...
Dec
20
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=qKzVbrazUos


ads keep care2 free
MORE MEMBER BLOGS
Dec 24
Blog: What is EGO by Swati S.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — http://www.anandway.com/b log/post/What-is-EGO.aspx During those few moments watch what goes on within you. There is a combination of an earthquake, volcano, tornado and a tidal wave, all together. THAT is the ego... more
Blog: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO INVESTIGATE WHO IN JANUARY 2010 by Team O.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — http://groups.google.com/ group/omeganews/t/f502021 4c6beb5ee?hl=de -------- Scientist addresses global 'swine flu conspiracy'http://en.rian .ru/world/20091215/157250 313.html WHO ADVISER CONCEALS A DONATION OF MILLIONS FROM A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY http... more
Blog: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO INVESTIGATE WHO IN JANUARY 2010 by Team O.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — http://groups.google.com/ group/omeganews/t/f502021 4c6beb5ee?hl=de -------- Scientist addresses global 'swine flu conspiracy'http://en.rian .ru/world/20091215/157250 313.html WHO ADVISER CONCEALS A DONATION OF MILLIONS FROM A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY http... more
Blog: USA Spends Trillion Dollars to Make Terrorist War Last Forever by Team O.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — By Sergey Balmasov "They spent a trillion dollars to add more fuel to the fire of the terrorist war. The Americans crushed Iraq and Afghanistan. There are too many people in these two countries who lost their homes, jobs and loved ones because of the... more
Blog: USA Spends Trillion Dollars to Make Terrorist War Last Forever by Team O.
(0 comments  |  0 discussions ) — By Sergey Balmasov "They spent a trillion dollars to add more fuel to the fire of the terrorist war. The Americans crushed Iraq and Afghanistan. There are too many people in these two countries who lost their homes, jobs and loved ones because of the... more
 
Content and comments expressed here are the opinions of Care2 users and not necessarily that of Care2.com or its affiliates.
Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved