Is there anything better on a weekend than adorable photos of a sloth bear acting like a dog? We don't think so!
Check out these pictures of the playful Buddu.
Buddu wandered into the village following a herd of goats, and ended up staying with the Kisan family. If you're concerned about Buddu's fate, worry no more. The cub, seen here getting his hair combed by Juli, was taken from the family by wildlife officials Friday.
The sloth bear (Ursus ursinus =Melursus ursinus), also known as the labiated bear, is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bear found wild within the Indian subcontinent. The sloth bear evolved from ancestral brown bears during the Pleistocene and shares features found in insect-eating mammals through convergent evolution. The population isolated in Sri Lanka is considered as a subspecies. Unlike brown and black bears, sloth bears have lankier builds, long shaggy coats that form a mane around the face, long sickle shaped claws, and a specially adapted lower lip and palate used for sucking insects. Sloth bears breed during spring and early summer and give birth near the beginning of winter. They feed on termites, honeybee colonies and fruits.
Adult sloth bears may travel in pairs, with the males being gentle with cubs. They may fight for food. They walk in a slow, shambling motion, with their feet being set down in a noisy, flapping motion. They are capable of galloping faster than running humans. Although they appear slow and clumsy, sloth bears are excellent climbers. They climb to feed and rest, though not to escape enemies, as they prefer to stand their ground. They are capable of climbing on smooth surfaces and hang upside down like sloths.They are good swimmers, and primarily enter water to play.
To mark their territory, sloth bears will scrape trees with their forepaws, and rub against them with their flanks. Sloth bears have a great vocal range. Gary Brown, in his Great Bear Almanac lists over 25 different sounds in 16 different contexts. Sounds such as barks, screams, grunts, roars, snarls, wickers, woofs and yelps are made when angered, threatening or when fighting. When hurt or afraid, they shriek, yowl or whimper. When feeding, sloth bears make loud huffing and sucking noises, which can be heard over 100 metres away. Sounds such as gurgling or humming are made by bears resting or sucking their paws. Sows will emit crooning sounds to their cubs. The species is the most vociferous when mating, and make loud, melodious calls when doing so. Sloth bears do not hibernate. They make their day beds out of broken branches in trees, and will rest in caves during the wet season. Sloth bears are the most nocturnal of bears, though sows become more active in daytime when with cubs. (Via Wikipedia)
Faithful companion: Ghasiram Kisan rests next to the young sloth bear.(SOURCE)
It is such a relief to see people acting like humans...
no matter what part of the world they come from, it is a treasure to see a puppy sloth be a part of humanity
So glad he found a home, however temporary, that took care of him before the officials took him away. Hopefully when he is released back into the wild - I assume that is the plan - he does well, and lives a long healthy life.