MIAMI – Zoo Miami is celebrating their newest additions -- two adorable sloth bear cubs who were born to 4-year-old Kematee last month.
The first-time mother welcomed the first cub at around 4 a.m. Dec.4, followed by the arrival of a second cub at approximately 9:30 a.m. The father, 11-year-old Hank, is also experiencing his first successful offspring, according to Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill.
Magill said the newborn female cubs underwent a neonatal exam this week, revealing they are in good health, with each weighing between 2 and 3 pounds.
Kematee will remain secluded in her den to minimize disruptions as the cubs foster a strong bond and demonstrate maternal care, the zoo stated in a news release Friday.
Sloth bears, classified as a vulnerable species, face threats such as poaching and habitat destruction. Found in the Indian subcontinent’s moist and dry forests, these solitary creatures primarily feed on fruit and insects, especially termites, according to Magill.
The unique gap in their upper front teeth enables them to create a straw-like effect with their long lips, facilitating the quick and efficient consumption of termites and other insects. Their long shaggy coat, which lacks an undercoat, helps keep them cool in warm climates and protects them from biting insects.
The new additions mark the first sloth bear birth at Zoo Miami since 1998, contributing to conservation efforts for this vulnerable species, the zoo stated.
Visitors can anticipate seeing the new family in their outdoor habitat once staff ensures a safe introduction, which will likely take several weeks, according to the zoo.
View pictures of Zoo Miami’s newest additions below.