Asiatic black bear  (Ursus thibetanus)

Little is known about the natural ecology and behaviour of the Asiatic bear. Their diet varies depending on the season but, in common with most other bears, they are predominately herbivorous feeding on acorns, beech and other nuts as well as fruits and berries (6) These bears spend around half of their time in the trees (4), and construct platforms from branches and vegetation upon which they rest and feed (5). Females give birth to a litter of around 2 cubs in the safety of a winter den (6), often located within a tree hollow (5). Cubs stay with their mother for 1 to 1.5 years but, with the exception of these groupings, Asiatic black bears are fairly solitary (4). At the northern extreme of its range, black bears may go into hibernation to survive the cold winters, although further to the south, bears migrate to warmer areas and thus avoid the need for hibernation (4).