The sun bear is native to forests in which region?

The sun bear is native to forests in Southeast Asia.

The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) lives in tropical forests across mainland and island Southeast Asia. Its range includes parts of northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. It is generally associated with lowland evergreen and seasonal forests, although it can also occur in mountainous areas.

Despite its name, the sun bear is not a bear of open, sunny landscapes. “Sun bear” likely refers to the pale, often crescent-shaped chest marking that contrasts with its dark coat. It is also called the honey bear because it uses its long tongue and powerful claws to raid beehives and feed on honey and larvae.

The sun bear is the smallest living bear species and the only species in the genus Helarctos. It is an agile climber and eats insects, fruit, honey, and other plant material. Deforestation, habitat fragmentation, poaching, and the illegal wildlife trade have caused major population declines, and the species is classified as Vulnerable.