Sloth bear
Melursus ursinus
We are home to two sloth bears - Cipísek and Rajath.
Cipísek was born in 2022 and joined us in July 2025. Rajath, born 2010, arrived in December 2025. They both love exploring their habitat, climbing tress and digging for food.
Sloth bears are insect-eating bears native to South Asia. They have shaggy black fur and a distinctive white, Y-shaped mark on their chest. They have long, curved claws that allow them to dig into termite mounds and ant nests.
When feeding, sloth bears close their nostrils and use their vacuum-like mouths to suck up insects. This process is very loud and can be heard from up to 100 metres away!
Despite being a small bear, sloth bears are tough and can be aggressive when threatened. They stand on their back legs and use their powerful claws to defend themselves against predators. Animals that may hunt a sloth bear include Bengal tigers and Indian leopards.
Sloth bears are not related to sloths at all. Early European scientists gave them this name by mistake. They thought the bears were like sloths because of their long fur, claws and the way they sometimes hang in trees.
Sloth bears are classified as Vulnerable. This is due to habitat loss, poaching for traditional medicine and increasing conflict with humans.
Population
Decreasing
Diet
Omnivore
Habitat
Grasslands
Fact file
Despite having a thick shaggy coat, they live in the hot, dry grasslands and forests. Their coat protects them from being bitten by their favourite food... termites!
Sloth bears are generally quiet but they can produce a powerful roar when they need to defend themselves
As well as insects, sloth bears also eat fruit, honey, flowers and grains
Latest sloth bear news
View all news
18 Dec 2025
One minute read
12 Dec 2025
One minute read
29 Sep 2025
One minute read
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care our sloth bears are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about conservation