Sun Bears - Smallest Bears, Longest Tongues

A stop on Oakland Zoo: Savanna to California Trail, a free self-guided tour.

You are in the Tropical Rainforest, at the home of the Malayan sun bears. These are the smallest bears in the world, built for climbing trees in the forests of Southeast Asia. Look for the golden or cream patch on the chest, which is different on every bear, like a fingerprint.

Sun bears use long, curved claws to rip open logs and termite nests, then slurp up insects and honey with a tongue that can be 8 to 10 inches long. In the wild they face deforestation for palm oil plantations and are poached for their body parts and for the pet trade.

The zoo opened its sun bear habitat in 1995. Watch the climbing structures and the trees: a sun bear may be napping high up, or digging and sniffing for hidden treats keepers have tucked away.

Getting here: Head west from the Rides Area into the Tropical Rainforest and follow the path south to the sun bear habitat.

Did you know?: Sun bears get their name from the chest patch, which some people say looks like a rising sun.

Photo op: Wait for a bear to stand up and show its chest patch, then zoom in.

For kids: Compare your hands with a sun bear's paws. Its claws are long and curved for climbing and digging.

Nearby: Restrooms and the Island Cafe are a short walk back toward the flamingos.

More on Wikipedia: Sun bear · Tropical rainforest

Sun Bears - Smallest Bears, Longest Tongues

Stops on this tour