Polar Bear
Tagged: animal, animals, bird, fish, mammal
The Polar bear is the largest meat-eating animal that lives on land. It can be found in all te polar regions of the northern hemisphere, including Russia, Norway, Greenland, Canada and Alaska. The polar bear is the worlds largest land predator. Its thick, waterproof fur coat and layer of blubber keeps it warm and enables it to swim for hours in freezing Artic seas. So effective is the polar bears insulation, in fact, that adult males quickly overheat when running. Polar bears spend most of the year floating on massive ice floes, covering daily distances of up to 40 km in a costant quest for food. In a lifetime, they may cover an area equal to 260,000sq km.
Long-distance Swimmers
Polar bears are champion swimmers and can paddle more than 100 km without a rest. To wring water out of their fur, they drag themselves across the ice. They keep clean as matted, dirty fur is a poor insulator. On bitterly cold days, polar bears dig a shelter and curl up tightly, sometimes covering their muzzle, which radiates heat, with a paw. Bears displaying submissive behaviour are often allowed to share a kill. To beg food from another bear, a polar bears approaches slowly, circles and offers a tentative nose-to-nose greeting.
Part of Bodies
- Soles have developed suction cups to give better grip on the ice
- Partially webbed, five clawed front paws are large and used like paddles for swimming
- Skin is black to absorb any avalaible heat
- Compact ears and small tail help to prevent heat loss
- Long neck allows the head to be raised clear of water when swimming
- Fur is pigment-free, although the suns reflection makes it appear white helps camouflage. Transparent, hollow hairs traps heat
Statistics
- status – lower risk
- social unit – individual
- length – 2.1-3.4 m
- weight – male: 400-680 kg; female weight 50% less
- migration – may migrate south in winter south in winter; returns in summer when the ice breaks up
- sexual maturity – female: 4-5 years; male: 8 years
- mating season – spring
- gestation period – 8-9 months
- number of young – 1-4 ; commonly 2
- breeding interval – 3 years
- diet – mainly seals, but also seabirds, fish, small mammals and birds eggs
- lifespan – 20-25 years
Myth or Fact
Inuit hunters prized ‘Nanuk’, the polar bear. This huge animal was considered to be wise, powerful and almost human. Some legends mention strange polar bear men that lived in igloos, walked upright and could talk.
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