Nature lovers who travel to India on a dedicated Tiger tour are privileged to enjoy one of the most exciting wildlife experiences available. Seeing this enigmatic and secretive big cat in its natural habitat is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But the big cat is not the only exotic animal that can be observed on a Tiger tour, and the parks and reserves are home to a profusion of other wildlife as well.
One of the most sought after sightings is the Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus), a species native to the Indian subcontinent and found in lowland forests of India in places like the Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh reserves.
Physical Appearance
The bears are small to medium sized with adult males growing up to around 1.8m, with a tail measuring 7-13cms. They can weigh up to 190kg, with the average around 120kg for males and less for females. Their thick, bushy fur offers protection from insect bites but it gives them a rather unkempt appearance. Around the neck their fur is even longer, forming a
Behaviour & Diet
They lead a primarily solitary life, only coming together to mate and, while they
Despite their ambling, deliberate gait, these animals are certainly not lazy. They spend the majority of their time wandering around looking for food, but if the need arises they can move very fast. The only time they rest (they don
Preferred Habitat
Its carry their cubs on their backs, the only species of bear that does so.) As long as they have access to an abundance of available food sources they can survive in a diverse range of habitats, including dense lowland forests, scrubby areas and tall grasslands.
Encounter the Sloth Bear on a Tiger Tour
Apart from the big cat itself, the intriguing Sloth Bear is just one of the many other species of mammals, reptiles and abundant avian life that can be seen on an organised Tiger tour to one of India