The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), also known as the labiated bear, is native to the Indian subcontinent. Baloo the bear, a character in The Jungle Book is a sloth bear and his name comes from the Hindi word for bear – bhalu. The nocturnal Sloth bear sleeps in caves, but it does not hibernate. There’s never any snow, so there’s no need for a long, winter nap.
