Asian black bear
Scientific name: Ursus thibetanus
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Distinguished by glossy black fur with a characteristic white or cream V-shaped chest blaze. Males are substantially larger and more heavily built than females.
Size and weight
Adult males: 100–150 kg, 150–180 cm body length. Adult females: 65–95 kg, 130–160 cm body length.
Habitat
Asian black bears inhabit montane forests with dense understory vegetation, typically between 1500 and 3500 meters elevation. They prefer mixed and deciduous forests with abundant ground cover.
Distribution
Range extends across the Himalayan chain from northern India through Nepal, Bhutan, and into Southeast Asia. Occupy mid to high-elevation forest complexes.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding on berries, nuts, honey, and insects throughout the growing season, supplemented by small vertebrates and bird eggs. Mast forms a critical autumn food source.
Behaviour
Primarily nocturnal with peak activity around dusk and dawn; crepuscular movement common in autumn. Solitary except females with dependent young. Excellent climbers throughout life.
Hunting tips
Look for claw marks on trees—especially conifers—where bears probe for insects; also examine overturned logs and excavated termite mounds. Approach from downwind through dense cover, moving slowly and pausing frequently to listen and observe. These bears possess acute olfaction and hearing despite their size.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.