Reproduction

How does the Asian black bear produce its young?

Breeding takes place from June to July. They are promiscuous and can have multiple partners each breeding season. Larger males will gain more opportunities to mate than smaller individuals.

Females give birth to between one and three cubs following an eight month gestation period. Birthing occurs during winter and females with cubs will remain in the den regardless of whether they are hibernating or not.

At birth the cubs eyes are closed and they will not open them for at least one week.

Weaning occurs by 3 months old but cubs remain with their mother until two or three years old.

Sexual maturity is reached between 4 and 4 years old.

Behavior

What does the Asian black bear do with its day?

These animals are able to climb in to the trees. Much of their day is spent up in the canopy. They are also capable swimmers.

In the cooler parts of their range they will undertake a period of hibernation. From November to April they will spend a period of time sleeping. They must eat large amounts of food prior as a female will lose up to half her body weight in this period.

Debate exists as to whether this is a true hibernation. The pulse rate and metabolic rate drops but the animals body temperature does not drop significantly and they can be awakened.

The legs of the Asian black bear are strong and allow them to walk upright on just the back two legs.

Asian black bears exhibit a variable activity pattern across their range. In more open habitats and areas with more human activity they tend to be nocturnal but in forested areas they are often active during the day.

They are solitary for most of the year though they may forage with a mate during the breeding season.

Each individual will maintain a large home range.

Credit: Shiv's fotografia, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Predators and Threats

What is impacting the survival of the Asian black bear?

Siberian tigers are the main predator of the Asian black bear. They may come in to conflict when tigers return to finish feeding at kills which are being scavenged by a bear.

These animals are threatened through habitat loss and fragmentation due to road and dam projects.

Asian black bears are seen as the most desirable species of bear in the illegal wildlife trade. Their skin, paws and internal organs such as gall bladders are used in traditional medicines and food. They are also used to deter ghosts in some areas.

Synthetic versions of the main compound in bear bile have been created but unfortunately it is seen as more effective in traditional medicine if it comes from a bear.

This species is also traded as a pet and captures from the wild occur to fuel this trade. They have also been used in bear baiting and were used as part of the dancing bear tradition.

Human-bear conflict is increasing and in some areas has led to high mortality for the bears involved.

Quick facts

These animals may also be known as the Tibetan black bear or the Himalayan black bear. Their alternative name of moon bear is derived from the crescent shaped patch of white fur on the chest.

Fossil records suggest that the range of the Asian black bear previously stretched as far as France and Germany.