Eating Habits of the Malayan Sun Bears of Borneo
Photo: Sun Bear feeding on the insects of decaying wood in Deerland Park in Bukit Rengit, Lanchang, Pahang.Credit: Deerland Park Sanctuary
During a two year period from 1998-2000 wildlife biologist, Siew Te Wong, performed a study on the Malayan Sun Bears in the tropical forests of Borneo. The objective of the study was to determine the eating habits and natural diet of the Malayan Sun Bear. In the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve of Sabah, Malaysia, they analyzed scat samples, examined feeding sites, and directly observed the natural behaviors of Sun Bears. They discovered that a large ammount of the Sun Bear's diet consisted of invertebrate insects. This appeared to be the most common staple of their diet. Their diet also consisted of figs and the occasional (very uncommon) feeding on small vertebrates. The biologists also observed feeding sites and determined that Sun Bear feeding sites usually consisted of decaying wood, tree stumps, and cavities utilized by insects as nesting. The study group concluded that Sun Bears are opportunistic omnivores who consume a variety of food items. As well, they determined that, when given the opportunity, Sun Bears would scavenge from other predators like Tigers and other large mammals.
Read more...
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThere is a minor error I would like to point out. There was only me who studied at U of Montana. The other two sun bear researchers were base in different institution and different study sites. Readers can read more about the history of sun bear research at:
sunbears.wildlifedirect.org/2008/12/01/sun-bear/
Many thanks for doing this posting. Great work!
Question? please email me: wongsiew@hotmail.com