Sloth Bear Ursus/(Melursus) ursinus

The Sloth Bear is black or dark brown with a white crescent or V on its chest and a light muzzle. It is native to the Indian sub-continent. Its fur is long and matted like a sloth and its claws are also sloth-like although it is a true bear and not a sloth. Its daytime inactivity is because it is mainly nocturnal.

It is mainly insectivorous with sucking mouthparts. The claws are for opening termite mounds.

Males and females have a similar appearance but males are usually larger.