Agile and quick, the sun bear is as formidable as it is resourceful. Despite being the smallest bear species, the sun bear is among the fiercest creatures in Southeast Asia’s forests.
Known to take on tigers and large pythons when threatened, it has a dense, dark-brown coat and loose skin that lets it twist and bite back during a struggle.
Sun bears also climb treetops in search of insects and sap. Strong jaw muscles, sharp canines, and curved claws help them burrow for insects or access stingless bee nests, while long tongues are perfect for extracting honey and insects from tiny crevices.