Mr. Kasouf-Asiatic Black Bear

Asiatic Black Bear

Scientific Name:
Ursus thibetanus
Other Names and/or Listed subspecies:
Tibetan Black Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Moon Bear, Selenarctos thibetanus gedrosianus, Baluchistan Bear

The Baluchistan bear is a subspecies of the Asiatic black bear. It is also called "moon bear" because of a distinctive white crescent marking appearing on the chest. It is similar in appearance to its better-known American relative (the American black bear). The head tapers to a rather pointed snout, and it has rounded ears which are large and prominent. Adults reach between six and eight feet in head and body length on average, and weigh between 110 to 330 lbs. The tail is 2.5 to 4 inches long. Males are larger than females. Baluchistan bears have very sharp claws and are excellent climbers and swimmers.

This species prefers forest habitat which includes temperate and tropical woodlands in hilly or mountainous areas with heavy brush cover. It spends much of the day sleeping and is mainly active at night. Diet consists of fruits, nuts, buds and insects. Asiatic black bears are more carnivorous than their American counterparts since they are known to eat leftover prey killed by tigers, which helps to build up fat before winter. They have also been known to consume domestic livestock. Except mothers and cubs, they are usually solitary. Mating may occur around October, and females give birth to two cubs after a gestation period of seven to eight months. The young are nursed for three to four months and remain with the mother for two years.

U. t. gedrosianus
Tavi Grepp More images: 1 2
The Baluchistan bear is only found in Iran and Pakistan and is threatened by habitat destruction and hunting for its skin, paws and gall bladder (which is used in Oriental medicine). They are considered a nuisance to humans since they eat crops and domestic livestock, and unfortunately, human attacks are also common. All Asiatic black bears are protected by law, but law enforcement is extremely limited in much of its range. 

The black bear lives two different lives, according to the season. In the spring, summer, and fall, it only thinks about eating. It can be seen on the shore of a stream or lake fishing for salmon. Black bears are fond of tree resin. They strip the bark of conifers. And they destroy some trees in the process. These foods are not the most important part of their diet, however. Their usual diet is 25 percent rodents and 75 percent plants.

When winter approaches, the bear goes back to its den and falls asleep. During the two to four months of cold weather, the bear's body temperature and breathing slow down. It lives in slow motion! But this is not true hibernation. When the weather gets warmer, it wakes up for short periods. During these breaks it eats a little and gets back its strength. A solitary animal, the black bear lives in an area of 1 to 36 square miles. Mating season is from May to July. In January or February the female brings forth one to three nearly naked bear cubs. Each one weighs no more than 10 ounces. They do not leave their mother to hibernate in their own area until the second winter.

Its awkward way of walking makes us forget that the black bear is an agile animal. It climbs, runs, and swims well. It rarely attacks people unless it is wounded. But a mother bear with her cubs will attack if she senses danger.

SOURCES:

Glenn, C. R. 2006. "Earth's Endangered Creatures - Asiatic Black Bear Facts" (Online).
Accessed 5/8/2013 at http://earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?sp=29&ID=8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y36R6rSNKg

"Black Bear." Amazing Animals of the World. Grolier Online, 2013. Web. 8 May. 2013.