A Pliocene Survivor, Melursus Ursinus.

Greetings. Known as the sloth bear, Melursus ursinus is the oldest species of bear to have appeared in the fossil record that is still in existence. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and is the sole representative of the ancient genus Melursus. 

Substantially slimmer than brown bears, sloth bears are omnivorous mammals, with characteristics similar to other insectivores. The species arose in the Pliocene, approximately 5.3 million years ago, and has survived various environmental changes during its time in existence, making it a tough and highly adaptable animal.

Sloth bears have shaggy coats, a maned face, and impressively long sickle claws on their paws, particularly their forepaws. Remains of the species date back to the Pliocene Epoch, which supports an evolutionary divergence from other extinct species of bear prior to the appearance of modern bear species, some of which appeared during the Late Pleistocene. Adult males of the species weigh about 145 kilograms, while females weigh somewhat less, coming in at 105 kilograms. Lengths of 1.9 meters are common in the wild. 

Sloth bears have a set of physical characteristics which are unique among bears, which puts their ancient lineage on full display. The animals have the longest tails of any extant species of bear, often reaching 18 centimeters long. Their ears are large and floppy, and covered in long hair, no other bear species having long hair on its ears. The paws of sloth bears are disproportionately large, armed with 10 centimeter long claws. Being fond of insects, sloth bears have evolved smaller teeth to accommodate their diet, and have completely lost their upper incisors, although they have evolved powerful canines for defense. 

Sloth bears have two natural enemies, Bengal tigers and human beings. Tigers will not attack a fully prepared adult, but will ambush bears that are not aware of the cat's presence. The bears are fully capable of defending against tiger attacks, with other smaller predatory species like leopards avoiding the bears. The aggressiveness of sloth bears is an evolutionary adaptation to sharing its environment with dangerous animals; tigers, elephants, extinct species, and in today's world, human beings. The species often chases leopards away from their kills, and will occasionally hunt live prey when stressed. Sloth bears are known to attack humans when their territory is encroached upon by people, a natural reaction to such human ignorance. 

Sloth bears occupy a wide range of habitats, at various altitudes, from moist tropical environments to dry savanna and grasslands, in altitudes ranging from 1,500 meters to 300 meters above sea level. The species is listed as vulnerable by the ICUN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) due to human activities like habitat destruction and direct hunting.

Here's to wishing the sloth bear a long, storied, and continued existence, long after human beings have gone extinct. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.