Because of large-scale habitat destruction and poaching, it is likely that its range has recently been reduced in northern and western regions. There is little information about reproductive behavior in the wild but cubs are apparently born throughout the year. The gestation period for six births at the East Berlin Zoo was reported to be 95 to 96 days, suggesting t here was no delayed implantation. Conversely, three pregnancies at the zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, lasted 174 to 240 days, suggesting delayed implantation. Cubs are reported to remain with their mothers until they are fully grown.
Nothing is known of the social organization of sun bears in the wild.
DIET Sun bears are omnivorous. They have been reported to eat termites, small mammals, birds, and growing tips of palm trees, and the nests of wild bees. At times they cause considerable damage to agricultural crops, such as oil palms.