• The sloth bear is clumsy, but can run faster than a human. Its clumsy appearance is misleading — this bear can run faster than a human.
• The sloth bear is the only bear specialised on insects: it sucks termites through a gap in its teeth.
• The sloth bear lacks two central upper incisors, creating a passage in its lips. This passage continues into a "tube" formed by elongated, movable lips.

The cub has soft, dark-colored fur; adult sloth bears possess long, coarse black fur that protects them from insect bites, and frequently have a light V-shaped spot on their chest. The species has long, curved claws that aid in destroying termite mounds and climbing trees. An adult’s muzzle is long with very flexible lips forming a tube for sucking insects; the tongue is also long and flexible, assisting in retrieving insects from narrow passages.