sloth bear
Definition
Noun: 1. A medium-sized bear species native to the Indian subcontinent: The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is characterized by its shaggy black coat, long, pale muzzle, and specially adapted lips and palate for sucking up insects. It is primarily myrmecophagous (insect-eating), with a particular fondness for termites and ants.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The sloth bear uses its long, curved claws to rip open termite mounds.
- Unlike other bears, the sloth bear often carries its young on its back.
- Conservation efforts are crucial for protecting the habitat of the sloth bear.
Advanced Usage
- The common name "sloth bear" is somewhat misleading, as the animal is not related to sloths. Early European naturalists thought its long claws and unusual, shaggy appearance resembled that of a tree sloth, leading to the name.
Variants and Related Words
- Melursus ursinus (n): The scientific, binomial name for the sloth bear.
- Honey bear (n): A regional common name for the sloth bear, referencing its taste for honeycombs.
- Labiated bear (n): An older, less common name derived from its prominent, flexible lips.
Synonyms
- Asiatic black bear (Note: This is a synonym in some general contexts, but it technically refers to a different species, . True synonyms are the scientific name and the other common names listed above.)
Related Phrases
- Bear species: A general term for any member of the family Ursidae, which includes the sloth bear.
- Myrmecophagous mammal: An animal whose diet consists primarily of ants and termites.
Noun
-
common coarse-haired long-snouted bear of south-central Asia
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