THE SLOTH-BEAR 



(Melursus ursinus) 



ALTHOUGH this most uncouth of Bears has often been denominated the 

 " Five-toed Sloth " and " Ursine Sloth," it has no affinity with the true 

 Sloths, which belong to a very different order, and will be treated of in due 

 course in this book. Its resemblance to the Sloth lies in its very long 

 coarse coat, in the long claws, and in the fact that it exhibits a certain 

 deficiency in the teeth. Other Bears, like the carnivora in general, have 

 six incisor teeth in each jaw, but in the Sloth-Bear the central pair of 

 upper incisors are wanting; the grinders are also small and set far 

 apart. 



The black coat, with the white crescent on the chest, is a constant 

 character of this Bear, but what especially distinguishes it from other 

 black Bears is not only the coarse shaggy fur, but the long muzzle and 

 loose lips, and the power it has of protruding these, making the most 

 extraordinary grimaces. Its form is also an exaggeration of the usual 

 bearish uncouthness, and its gait so awkward that when going at a gallop 

 it looks as if some invisible person was unceremoniously bundling it 

 along from behind. It cannot compare in size with the larger Bears, a 

 male not measuring more than six feet from nose to rump. 



In spite of its abundant hair, the Sloth-Bear inhabits the hot plains of 

 India, and is the characteristic Bear of that region. It is found in Ceylon 

 as well as on the mainland, but not in the Himalayas, and it has 

 disappeared, owing to persecution by sportsmen, from some of its old 

 haunts, notably in parts of the Deccan and Bengal. It is generally found 

 alone, but sometimes a pair, or the female with her two cubs, are found 

 together. Their usual haunts are in hilly or forest country, and they are 

 particularly fond of making their dens in caves where such shelter is 

 available. It is chiefly at night that these Bears prowl about in search 

 of food, which is chiefly of vegetable substances and insects, this being 

 one of the least carnivorous of all Bears. In search of fruit it will climb 



