American Museum of Natural History Blog What's the world's smallest bear? Weighing in around 103 lbs (47 kg), it's the sun bear (Helarctos

ALTWhat's the world's smallest bear? Weighing in around 103 lbs (47 kg), it's the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus)! Named for the golden patch on its chest, this species is about half the size of an American black bear (Ursus americanus). The sun bear, which can be found in parts of Southeast Asia, is an excellent climber and uses its long claws to help it move from tree to tree. This bear sometimes even makes nests of branches high in the treetops, where it snoozes up to 128 ft (40 m) off the ground. Photo: Wich'yanan (Jay) Limparungpatthanakij, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist