Species in Peril:
polar bears
Considered the Masters of the North
Powerful and distinctive
It’s easy to see why polar bears are recognized by humans all around the world. With their seemingly white fur, black snout and eyes, they have the most distinctive look of all the bear species.
They are also the largest species of bear and the biggest land carnivore on earth. Polar bears are classifies as aquatic mammals with many names. Indigenous people all around the arctic circle have different names for this revered species. The scientific given name is Ursus Maritimus, which translates to “sea bear”. Later, they acquired the name “polar bear” from explorers and scientists alike, being found only in regions of the North pole.
It is believed that the species diverted from brown bears nearly half a million years ago, when they started traveling north searching for larger hunting grounds.
How polar bears hunt
Seals keep their breathing holes open all winter long, even in ice up to 2 m (6 ft) thick. They surface about every 5 to 15 minutes at one of the holes or use air pockets trapped under the ice when available.
Polar bears catch seals waiting for them to breathe at the ice openings. They must be patient and smart as the wait can be long before a seal actually reaches these holes. The polar bears’ favorite prey are the ringed and the bearded seals and they will wait by the holes and pounce on the animal before it can escape.
Their fur is not white
Polar bears have 2 layers of fur that prevent almost all heat loss. Polar bears can actually overheat if chasing prey for too long.
The biggest misconception about polar bears is that people think their fur is white, However, that’s just not true. Each hair shaft is pigment-free and transparent which allows light to reflect off each hair, making it appear white.
In the water.
Their fat layers allow them to stay warm in the water, even when they swim for hours on end. However, this is not true for the cubs, as they have not yet built up enough fat on their bodies so polar bear moms try to keep them out of the water as much as possible in their first year. By year 2, they are stronger and can follow their mom for longer period in the water.
A Few More Facts About Polar Bears
- Polar bears thrive in one of the coldest places on earth.
- A layer of insulated fur measuring up to 4.5 in. thick helps keep them warm.
- Polar bears hunt, mate and rest on the sea ice, which makes them highly vulnerable to a warming planet.
- Polar bear cubs have fluffy white ears.
- Young polar bear cubs can get hypothermia if they get wet.
- Polar bear cubs can climb trees, b ut they lose that ability once they get older.
- Polar bear cubs remain with their mothers for as long as 2 years. They learn by mimicking their mothers.
Video: Polar bears can have fun
Species Name
Ursus Maritimus
Estimated Population
22,000 globally
Conservation Status
Threatened
Range
Arctic region, including Canada, US, Russia and Norway. The arctic sea and coastal lands.
Reasons for Population Decline
Climate change
