Feeding Ecology of Sloth Bears in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

In Chitwan National Park, Nepal, sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) exhibit a diet dominated by insects, particularly termites and ants, which constitute over 90% of their consumption on a dry weight basis. A study analyzing 143 bear scats revealed that while seasonal variations exist, termites remain a stable dietary staple year-round, with minimal reliance on plants or mammalian hair. Termites accounted for 90% in summer and 94% in winter, while red ants and fruits like Ziziphus sp. were also significant but varied seasonally. The research highlights the bear's specialized insectivorous diet, with termites and ants being critical components, challenging earlier assumptions about their dietary flexibility.

Khanal, S., & Thapa, T. B. (2015). Feeding Ecology of Sloth Bears in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 19(2), 118–122. https://doi.org/10.3126/jist.v19i2.13864