Helarctos

Helarctos is a small genus of bears in the family Ursidae. It currently contains a single extant species, Helarctos malayanus, commonly known as the sun bear. The species inhabits the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, ranging from the Malay Peninsula through Sumatra and Borneo and into portions of mainland Southeast Asia. It is the smallest living bear, with a compact body, a short snout, and a glossy black coat that bears a distinctive pale orange to cream crescent-shaped patch on the chest.

The sun bear is an agile climber with powerful forelimbs and long claws. It has a relatively long tongue, well suited to feeding on honey and insects. Its diet is omnivorous and highly varied, including termites, ants, fruits, berries, honey, small vertebrates, and plant material. In the wild, individuals are largely solitary, though mothers with cubs share den sites and territories may occasionally overlap.

Reproduction occurs year-round in many areas, with females giving birth to 1–2 cubs after a short gestation. Cubs remain with their mother for up to two years, learning foraging techniques and climbing skills. Sun bears have large home ranges and rely on intact forest cover and arrayed food resources, including fruiting trees and beehives.

Conservation status is listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Major threats include deforestation for logging and agricultural expansion, notably palm oil plantations, as well as poaching for bushmeat, traditional medicine, and the illegal wildlife trade. Protection varies by country, with several populations occupying protected areas, but overall numbers are declining across their range. Taxonomically, Helarctos is considered a monotypic genus, with some fossil forms described but their placement as members of Helarctos remains uncertain.