sloth bear
noun
: a forest-dwelling bear (Melurus ursinus) of India and adjacent regions that has long black hair, very large claws, and a long snout and that feeds chiefly on insects
Examples of sloth bear in a Sentence
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The animal care team is also monitoring the sloth bear family on cameras to make sure Molly has food and nesting materials, such as fresh hay.
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Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
What readers are saying The comments on the article about sloth bears at the National Zoo focus on the birth of two sloth bear cubs and the uncertainty surrounding the identity of their father.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
While the Bali tiger was driven to extinction decades ago, Sri Lanka plays host to a staggering array of extant animals, with species like the sloth bear, leopard and Asian elephant roaming its lush forests.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
In addition to the park’s approximated 135 tigers, wildlife sightings can also include leopards, sloth bears (no relation to sloths), elephants, and over 250 species of birds.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 May 2025
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Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
What readers are saying The comments on the article about sloth bears at the National Zoo focus on the birth of two sloth bear cubs and the uncertainty surrounding the identity of their father.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
While the Bali tiger was driven to extinction decades ago, Sri Lanka plays host to a staggering array of extant animals, with species like the sloth bear, leopard and Asian elephant roaming its lush forests.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
In addition to the park’s approximated 135 tigers, wildlife sightings can also include leopards, sloth bears (no relation to sloths), elephants, and over 250 species of birds.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sloth bear
Cite this Entry
“Sloth bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloth%20bear. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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