Sri Lankan sloth bear

The Sri Lankan sloth bear (Melursus ursinus inornatus) is a shaggy, nocturnal bear and the island’s only wild bear species. It has long, black, shaggy fur with a distinctive V- or Y-shaped cream marking on its chest, a long snout, and a mobile lower lip adapted for sucking up insects. Unlike other bears, sloth bears are specialized ant and termite feeders, often using their claws and powerful sense of smell to find food. They are generally shy and mostly nocturnal, but can be unpredictable if threatened, making them one of the more dangerous animals to encounter in the wild. Seeing one in the dry zone forests of Sri Lanka is a rare and thrilling wildlife experience.