With its shaggy black coat, white V on the chest and long curved claws, the sloth bear is one of Ranthambore’s most memorable animals. Mothers carrying cubs on their backs are a favourite sighting.
What they eat
Sloth bears feed mostly on termites and ants, which they suck up noisily after tearing open mounds with their claws. You can often hear them before you see them. They also eat fruit, flowers and honey; in season, ber and mahua fruit draw them out.
Where to look
- The buffer zones of the eastern and northern park, such as zones 6, 8 and 9
- Rocky hillsides with caves, where they rest by day
- Broken termite mounds along the track are a sign that bears are near
When
Bears are most active early in the morning and late in the evening. The hot months bring them to water, and spring brings them to fruiting trees. Cubs are often seen riding on their mother’s back in the early part of the year.
A word on safety
Sloth bears have poor eyesight and can be bad-tempered when surprised, which is one reason everyone stays inside the vehicle. Watch quietly and let the bear go about its business.