![]() Very few people have seen a bear in person, and even fewer people have seen a bear get into a fight that doesn’t end up going its way. They’re the definition of an apex predator - having a lot of prey while having virtually no predators. Debby, a zoo bear in Canada, lived to be 42.Bears are easily some of the most untouchable, dominant creatures in the wild. In captivity, they may live until their mid- to late 30s. In the wild, polar bears live an average 15 to 18 years, although biologists have tagged a few bears in their early 30s. Polar bears balance nature by preventing an overpopulation of seals. Right at the top of the arctic food chain. What is the polar bear's place in the food chain? On Norway's Svalbard Islands, polar bears were once found feasting on a 350-year-old bowhead whale carcass uncovered by a retreating glacier. They’ve even been known to hunt short-legged reindeer and snack on birds, bird eggs, kelp, and beached whales. Sometimes, polar bears kill and eat walrus and beluga whales. They leave the carcass for scavengers, such as arctic foxes, ravens, and younger bears. When there are plenty of seals, polar bears like to eat only the fat. What do polar bears eat?Īnything they want! But ringed seals are their favorite food. And their powerful claws can haul out a 40-90 kg (150-200 lb) seal from the water for dinner. Their sense of smell is powerful for detecting seals. Polar bear feet are furred and covered with small bumps called papillae to keep them from slipping on ice. In fact, polar bears have more problems with overheating than they do from the cold-especially when they run. In addition, their compact ears and small tail also prevent heat loss. Polar bears are insulated by two layers of fur that help keep them warm. They’re built for it! Polar bears love the Arctic climate, where winter temperatures can plunge to -45º C (-50º F). Wow! How do polar bears survive in the arctic environment? The largest polar bear ever recorded was a male weighing 2,209 pounds. Adult females measure 1.5 to 2.4 meters (6 to 9 feet) tall and normally weigh 150 to 295 kilograms (330 to 650 pounds). Very big! Adult males measure 2 to 3.1 meters (6.5 to 12 feet) long and normally weigh 351 to more than 544 kilograms (775 to 1,200 pounds). ![]() What is the polar bear's scientific classification and name?Ī polar bear’s closest relative is the brown bear, Ursus arctos. ![]() In 2008, scientists estimated that there might be 20,000 to 25,000 of them. Scientists can only provide informed estimates. Hunting will become a threat if not well regulated. Others include pollution, poaching, and industrial impact. Rapid loss of sea ice is their major threat. They predict that as the Arctic continues to warm due to climate change, two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear by mid-century-although hope remains if action is taken to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Are polar bears endangered?Įxperts in polar bear science believe they are. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway. There are five nations with polar bears: U.S. In the circumpolar north in areas where they can hunt seals at openings in the sea ice called leads. This is a wonderful website – check it out! Where do polar bears live? Tremendous Thanks to Polar Bears International for allowing us to highlight their website. Here are a few frequently asked Polar Bear questions I thought you would find interesting. This challenge closes on July 15 so… Start hunting for Polar Bears! Polar Bears International Submit your answers to Alex at alice.eilers or aeilers ![]() Take a picture of you and your Polar Bear find and e-mail it to me - 10 points per e-mail picture.* E-mail me a list of what/where you find a Polar Bear - 1 point per Polar Bear findĮxample – I read the book ‘Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? (1 point) If you are keeping track of your ‘Polar Points’ – here’s how this challenge will work. Now, lets go out and find Polar Bears!! Polar Points Keep your eyes open – you will be amazed by the number of Polar Bears you see – and remember, they do not have to be real. I will also be participating in this month’s challenge and I don’t plan on going to the Arctic during my summer vacation to see an actual Polar Bear - so I will need to get creative! And, I hope you will too!Īlex on the hunt for Polar Bears at the Pink Palace gift shop. If you are scratching your head right now thinking ‘this is not going to be easy’ - don’t worry it will be easier that you think. This is the Polar Bear you can 'find' at the Pink Palace Museum And your challenge is simple, to find Polar Bears! This months challenge was inspired by one of the Arctic’s most notorious residents - the Polar Bear. Are you ready for another Polar Scavenger Hunt Challenge?
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