Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), also called Malayan sun bears or “honey bears,” live in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. They are the smallest bear species on Earth and among the least known. Each bear has a golden or pale orange chest patch that varies in shape and shade, and no two are alike. With a stocky black coat and a short snout, they look quite different from more familiar bears.

An adult stands about 1.2 to 1.5 meters (4-5 feet) tall on its hind legs and weighs roughly 30-70 kg (65-150 lbs), around half the size of an American black bear. Males are slightly larger than females. Both sexes share a stout build with broad paws, curved claws, and sleek fur that is short enough to shed heat yet coarse enough to protect against branches and rain.