The pair stays together for only a few days during the breeding season, and during this time they copulate many times. Female bears are induced ovulators, meaning they have to be stimulated several times in order to ovulate, so this is why they must mate so often. This tie may last for 10 - 30 minutes. The females give birth in late fall, early winter. The cubs are born naked, helpless, and cannot see or hear.
Mothers carry their young around on their backs.
Sloth bear numbers have declined over the years. It is thought to be from deforestation and human encroachment, poaching, conflicts with farmers, and habitat changes. There are no subspecies known. Ward, Paul and Suzanne Kynaston. Bears of the World .