Located
Polar Bears can be found in the northern areas of
Canada, Alaska, Russia and Norway. They are also
located in various parts of Greenland.
Diet
Polar Bears' diets consist mainly of seals. Polar Bears
will use a variety of tactics while hunting seals, and these
tactics will usually involve stealth and patience. Polar
Bears will occasionally feed on other animals including
walruses. Polar Bears will also sometimes feed on the
carcases of dead whales.
Habitat
Polar Bears are often located near areas of water and ice
floes where their favorite food - seals - can be found.
Polar Bears have dens in which they will sleep and where
the females will give birth to cubs. Polar Bears do not
enter true hibernation in the winter as this is a period of
hunting, however, some Polar Bears and pregnant
females in particular will enter a deep sleep where their
heart rates will drop.
Size and Description
Polar Bears are among the largest land mammals on
earth. Males can weigh between 700 - 1400 pounds and
stand between 8 - 10 feet tall. Females are smaller than
males, with weights averaging 350 - 700 pounds. Polar
Bears appear to have a white coat; however, the actual
hairs are translucent and clear. The skin of the Polar
Bear is black. The coat and skin are adapted to absorb
sunlight and retain heat. Like many animals of the
tundra, Polar Bears have short ears to minimize heat
loss.
Reproduction
Polar Bears will give birth one out of every two to three
years. The mating season occurs in the spring, and the
female will then give birth in the winter to a litter of one to t
wo cubs.
Notes
Polar Bears are listed as vulnerable because of the
possibility of ice floes in the arctic region melting due to
climate change. While the number of Polar Bears is still
relatively healthy, human activity such as pollution and oil
drilling could create habitat loss for the bear.
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