It’s easy to get sun bears and moon bears confused. After all, they’re both bears, they’re both from Asia, and they both have unique crescent-shaped markings on their chests. However, there are actually quite a few differences between these two bear species. Here’s a closer look at the sun bear vs moon bear debate.
Size Matters
Moon bears are larger than sun bears. Moon bears have a shoulder height of about 70 cm (28 in), while sun bears have a shoulder height of 50–60 cm (20–24 in). Additionally, moon bears weigh between 65 and 150 kg (143 and 331 lb), while sun bears usually weigh between 30 and 80 kg (66 and 176 lb). Finally, moon bears have a head-and-body length of 1.6–2.2 m (5 ft 3 in–7 ft 3 in), while sun bears have a head-and-body length of 1.4–1.8 m (4 ft 7 in–5 ft 11 in). Overall, moon bears are about 25% larger than sun bears. Nevertheless, both bear species are relatively small compared to other bear species; for example, the brown bear has a shoulder height of 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) and a weight of 400 kg (880 lb). Consequently, the size difference between moon bears and sun bears is not as significant as the size difference between sun bears and other bear species.
Habitat Differences
Sun bears and moon bears also inhabit different areas. Sun bears are found in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, while moon bears are found in the mountainous regions of China, Korea, and Japan. Consequently, sun bears experience warm climates all year round, while moon bears experience colder climates during the winter months.
Behavioral Differences
Sun bears and moon bears also exhibit different behaviors. For example, sun bears are more likely to be active during the day (diurnal), while moon bears are more likely to be active at night (nocturnal). Additionally, sun bears typically live solitary lives, while moon bears usually live in pairs or small groups. Finally, sun bears build nests in trees, while moon bears build dens in caves.
Dietary Differences
Sun bears and moon bears also have different diets. Sun bears are mostly herbivorous, meaning that they primarily eat plants. Moon bears, on the other hand, are omnivorous, meaning that they eat both plants and animals. Sun bears typically eat fruits, berries, insects, and honey, while moon bears typically eat plants, fruits, insects, small mammals, and fish.
Crescent Shapes Aren’t Always Accurate
While both sun bears and moon bears have crescent-shaped markings on their chests, these markings aren’t always accurate representations of the shape of the respective bear’s skull. In fact, a study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology in 2011 found that the crescent shape of a sun bear’s chest marking is actually more accurate than the crescent shape of a moon bear’s chest marking when it comes to representing the shape of the respective bear’s skull.
Conclusion
So, what is the difference between sun bears and moon bears? Sun bears are smaller than moon bears, they inhabit different areas, they exhibit different behaviors, and they have different diets. Additionally, while both bear species have crescent-shaped markings on their chests, the shape of a sun bear’s chest marking is actually more accurate than the shape of a moon bear’s chest marking when it comes to representing the shape of the respective bear’s skull.
