Getting to Know the Sun Bear and Fascinating Facts About This Animal Captured in the Wehea Kelay Landscape

The sun bear, also known as the Malayan sun bear, has the scientific name Helarctos malayanus. It is the world's smallest bear species. In Indonesia, people call it the “sun bear” because it loves honey and can lick beehives with its long, flexible tongue. 

Read: Family Kitchens: The Frontline of Climate Adaptation

Meanwhile, the international name “sun bear” refers to the golden-yellow marking on its chest that resembles the sun. In the Wehea Kelay landscape, the YKAN team’s camera traps frequently capture sun bears, resulting in a relatively high encounter rate.

Sun bears are known as solitary animals with a mostly nocturnal lifestyle, although they can sometimes be active during the day depending on environmental conditions. They have strong, curved claws that are ideal for climbing trees and breaking apart rotten wood in search of insects like termites and ants—their favourite foods alongside fruit and honey. One fascinating fact about sun bears is that their tongue can reach 20–25 cm, making it perfect for reaching food in narrow crevices.

Although smaller than their bear relatives, sun bears are tough and have a powerful bite, making them opportunistic predators that play an important role in maintaining the balance of tropical forest ecosystems. Another interesting trait is that sun bears have an exceptionally strong sense of smell but relatively weak eyesight. They never see their prey clearly, relying instead on scent to identify it.