Asiatic Bear

The Asiatic Bear has several other names: Black beast, Dog bear, Formosa bear, and Giant cat bear. These animals are found in Southern Asia: Nepal,

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sikkim, India, Bhutan, Burma, Northeast China, Southeast Russia, Taiwan, and Japan. Asiatic Bears prefer forested, hilly and mountainous habitats. In spring, they migrate to higher elevations and come back with the first frosts.

The Asiatic Bear in southern parts of its habitat doesn’t hibernate, because the food is abundant. Like all bear species, the Asiatic Bear is omnivorous, feeding on everything it can find. The diet of these bears depends on the season, climate and habitat. Asiatic Bears take advantage of insects, small mammals, fruits, grass, nuts, wild honey, carrion and even domestic livestock.

These bears make daybeds in trees and spend much of their time there. The Asiatic Bear lives in remote areas and avoids interaction with humans. Very little is known about its habits and life cycle. Talking about the appearance of this species, the Asiatic Black Bear looks like its American cousin. The body length of these bears averages between 50 and 75 inches. The weight of males varies between 220 to 240 pounds; females weigh from 110 to 275 pounds. In spite of the species’ name, Asiatic Black Bears occur in a brown coat color. A characteristic feature of these bears is a white patch on the chest, which is often shaped like a large V. The ears of these bears are very large in proportion to the head.

Black bears almost never attack defensively and pose no threat to humans, but a female with small cubs can be very dangerous. A bear’s life is dominated by constant search for food and curiosity. All bears usually avoid humans, but the Asiatic Black Bear and some other species cannot resist the temptation to come to suburbs and hiking places attracted by the smell of food. Human-habituated Black Bears are not afraid of humans and come close to towns where they raid garbage cans and gardens. To avoid problems when coming across an Asiatic Bear in its natural habitat, don’t run, but remain calm and talk to it in a soothing voice.