How Do You Spell SELENARCTOS THIBETANUS?

Pronunciation: [sˌɛlənˈɑːktə͡ʊz θˈa͡ɪbtanəs] (IPA)

Selenarctos Thibetanus is a Latinized name for the Asiatic black bear, native to the Himalayas and surrounding regions. The pronunciation of "Selenarctos Thibetanus" can be broken down phonetically as /sɪleɪnɑːrktəs θɪbɪˈteɪnəs/. The first syllable, "sele," is pronounced as "suh-lee," followed by "nark" and "tos" pronounced as "nahrks" and "tohs," respectively. The second part, "Thibetanus," is pronounced as "thi-be-tay-nuhs." This complex spelling of the name reflects the scientific naming conventions and can be challenging to pronounce for those unfamiliar with international phonetic notation.

SELENARCTOS THIBETANUS Meaning and Definition

1. Selenarctos Thibetanus, commonly known as the Asiatic black bear or the moon bear, is a species of bear native to the mountainous regions of eastern Asia. It is the sole species in the genus Selenarctos and is closely related to the American black bear, with which it shares some physical characteristics.

   The Asiatic black bear is characterized by its medium to large size, with adults typically measuring between 4.5 and 6.5 feet in length and weighing between 220 and 440 pounds. It has a stocky build and a sleek black coat that appears bluish in sunlight, which gives it the moon bear epithet. Some individuals may have a white chest patch or a small, white crescent moon-like mark on their chest, further contributing to the unique appearance.

   These bears are primarily herbivorous, consuming a varied diet that includes fruits, nuts, berries, grasses, roots, and honey. However, they are also known to opportunistically scavenge or prey on small mammals and insects. They are adept tree climbers and often construct nests in trees to rest or escape predators.

   Due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and illegal hunting for their body parts, including gallbladders, which are sold for use in traditional medicine, the Asiatic black bear population has experienced a significant decline in recent years. It is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is protected by various laws and conservation initiatives across its range to ensure its survival.

Common Misspellings for SELENARCTOS THIBETANUS

• aelenarctos thibetanus
• zelenarctos thibetanus
• xelenarctos thibetanus
• delenarctos thibetanus
• eelenarctos thibetanus
• welenarctos thibetanus
• swlenarctos thibetanus
• sslenarctos thibetanus
• sdlenarctos thibetanus
• srlenarctos thibetanus
• s4lenarctos thibetanus
• s3lenarctos thibetanus
• sekenarctos thibetanus
• sepenarctos thibetanus
• seoenarctos thibetanus
• selwnarctos thibetanus
• selsnarctos thibetanus
• seldnarctos thibetanus
• selrnarctos thibetanus

Etymology of SELENARCTOS THIBETANUS

The word "Selenarctos Thibetanus" has its etymology rooted in Greek and Latin.

The first part of the name, "Selenarctos", is derived from the Greek words "selene", meaning "moon", and "arctos", meaning "bear". This relates to the species being commonly known as the "moon bear" due to a crescent-shaped patch of white fur on its chest.

The second part, "Thibetanus", is a Latinized form of "Tibetanus", which indicates the origin of the species. The moon bear is native to various countries in Asia, including Tibet, hence the name.

Therefore, the complete name "Selenarctos Thibetanus" signifies a bear species originating from Tibet and known for its distinctive moon-like marking.