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General InformationPolar bears are amazing animals. Here is LOTS of Polar bear general information. Physical Characteristics:Male polar bears are normally much larger than female polar bears are. Males range between 8 and 11 feet long and weigh up to 1,100 pounds sometimes even more. Females are normally between 6 and 8 feet long and weigh up to about 700 ponds. The polar bear is considered the largest land carnivore. The Kodiak bear is close in size but the polar bear is larger than the Kodiak bear. The polar bear has black skin and its entire body is furred with thick under fur. Then also has on outer layer of stiff shiny hollow "hair". Even the bottoms of the polar bear's paws has fur. This helps the polar bear have more sure footing on ice. A polar bear has partially webbed feet which helps aide in swimming. A polar bear's hair appears to be white however it really is a clear hollow tube that has air in it. This channels the sun's heat directly to the polar bear skin to help it stay warm. This also helps the water repel water. Water shakes off of this outer "hair' easily. Polar bears shed and replace their fur every year. This is usually in May or June. This is called molting and can take several weeks. The polar bear has extremely sharp strong claws. Polar bears have even been spotted out swimming in the sea more than 100 miles from land. Polar bears are obviously extremely strong swimmers. Compared to other bears, polar bears have elongated bodies and long slender necks. The coat can vary from pure white to creamy yellow to light brown depending upon season and angle of light. A polar bear's back legs are longer than the front legs. This makes the large, muscular hind end stand higher than the shoulders. Polar bear legs are strong, large and stocky. A polar bear's paw has 5 toes. The large paws of a polar bear act like snowshoes, spreading out the bear's weight as it moves over ice and snow. The front paws are much rounder than the back paws. The bottom of a polar bear's paw has thick, black pads covered with small, soft papillae (dermal bumps). The papillae create friction between the paw and ice to prevent slipping. Long hairs growing between pads and toes also help the polar bear be more sure footed. Polar bears have 42 teeth. Polar bears swallow most of their food without chewing. Polar bears also have a thick layer of blubber that helps protect them while swimming in very cold water. A polar bear's eyes are dark brown, set relatively close together, and look forward. A polar bear's ears are small and round and lay flat against the head when under water. The nostrils of polar bears also close while swimming under water. It is believed that the polar bear's sight and hearing is about the same as a human's. However, a polar bear's eyes have a protective membrane over their eyes to shield their eyes from ultraviolet light. Little is known about a polar bear's sense of touch; however, polar bears have been observed delicately moving or touching objects with the nose, tongue, and claws. A polar bear's sense of smell is extremely acute. they can smell prey a very very ling distance away. They can even smell prey that is below the snow. Polar bears can swim for hours at a time. While swimming a polar bear uses their front paws for paddling while holding their back legs still, kinda like a rudder. Like humans, polar bears walk on the soles of their feet with their heels touching the ground first. Like other bears, they can also stand on their hind feet and walk upright for short distances. Polar bears generally walk with a steady, lumbering gait. The front paws swing outward with each step, landing slightly pigeon-toed. The head swings gently from side to side. The walk has a four-beat pattern, first the right front foot touches the ground, then the left hind foot, then the left front foot, and lastly, the right hind foot. When being chased or charging prey, polar bears can run as fast as 40 kph (25 mph) for short distances Polar bears vocalize when they're agitated or threatened. Sounds include Polar bears make sounds like hissing, growling, champing of teeth, and soft chuffing. Polar Bear Cubs:Cubs open their eyes within the first month. Polar bear cubs start walking when they are about two months old also by two months old they have thick fur and are getting their teeth. When cubs are first taken out on the ice from the birthing dens the mother must often stop and nurse. Sometimes she even carries the babies on her back through deep snow. The polar bear cubs weigh over 100 pounds long before they ever reach one year of age. Cubs are mostly nursed for the first 3 to 4 months. When they go with their mother on a kill for the first time is when they begin to eat meat. Polar bear cubs stay with their mothers until they are about two and half years old. During this time their learn from their mother how to hunt and survive in their frozen habitat. Habitat:Polar bears are equally comfortable on land and in the water. Polar bears are found on ice packs, on coastal islands, and are even found out in the Artic waters. Polar bears travel all year throughout their own home ranges. Those range sizes vary depending on availability of food and mates. Status:The polar bear is not currently listed as endangered or threatened. However, this has not always been the case. That scale could easily be tipped if we, humans, are not watchful. The polar bear is classified as a marine mammal. Social:Polar bears are the most nomadic of all the bear species. They are known to travel about 15 miles per day or about 5,500 miles per year. Polar bears do not mark or defend their territories. Polar bears are basically solitary. Usually, only two social units exist: (1) adult females with cubs and (2) breeding pairs. Sometimes for short periods of time adult and sub adult polar bear males will feed and travel together. Polar bears are excellent mothers. They groom their cubs and even give them "attention". Polar bear cubs like other bear cubs wrestle and play for hours. These activities help prepare them for survival as adults. Populations:In 1968 there were barely 10,000 polar bears left in the world. Due to hunting regulations being put in place as well as some habitat protections today there are thought to be 20,000 to 27,000 polar bears world wide. they are found in the United Sates, Canada, Greenland and on the Artic islands of Norway. It is believed that of those polar bears 3,000 to 5,000 live in the state of Alaska. Polar bears in Alaska are considered to be two separate populations. One being the Chukchi / Bering Seas of westerns Alaska and the Beaufort Sea off of northern Alaska. However, polar bears can be found throughout the Artic.. |
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