# Sloth bears may shape Rajasthan forests by spreading viable seeds 2026-08-06T16:41:43+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A study in Rajasthan’s Aravalli hills suggests sloth bears help shape dry deciduous forests by spreading seeds that can germinate. Researchers collected 180 scat samples in Kumbhalgarh and Todgarh-Raoli wildlife sanctuaries between November 2021 and July 2022. The bears’ diets changed with the seasons. Plant material dominated winter samples, while insects became more important in summer. Ants appeared in more than 80% of winter scats, and termites in over half of summer samples. Grewia flavescens was the most important fruit in both seasons. Laboratory experiments found that Lantana camara seeds germinated only after passing through a sloth bear’s digestive system, suggesting the animals may also spread the invasive shrub. The researchers said unusual, wetter summer weather may have made termites and ants easier to find. Monsoon sampling was not possible because rain washed away scats and blocked access to parts of the sanctuaries. ## Coverage - india.mongabay.com Tags: Aravalli hills, Rajasthan, seed dispersal, sloth bears, wildlife research Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/sloth-bears-may-shape-rajasthan-forests-by-spreading-viable-seeds/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/sloth-bears-may-shape-rajasthan-forests-by-spreading-viable-seeds/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.