Polar bears (Ursus Maritimus) are the world’s largest living land predator which evolved around 200,000 years ago. They occur only in the northern hemisphere; roaming the Arctic ice and swimming coastal waters. Polar bears can be found in U.S (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Denmark, and Norway.
They live in one of the planets coldest environments and depend on a warming layer of fat which is covered by a thick coat of insulated fur. Their layer of fat can build up to 10cm. Polar bear fur consists of short dense underfur and an outer layer of long transparent guard hairs. The paws of polar bear also contain hair, this helps protect them against cold surfaces and provides a good grip on the ice. Under their thick layer of fur, there is black skin which helps absorb the suns warming rays.
Adult male polar bears can weigh from 775 to a whopping 1,200 pounds. Female polar bears normally weigh from 330 to 650 pounds, but during pregnancy they may weigh more than 650 pounds. Both male and female can reach heights from 3.5 – 5 feet tall when standing on all fours. But when standing on both hind legs they can reach up to 10 feet tall.
These powerful predators typically prey on seals, especially the ringed seals. Male polar bears will spend most of the life on the pack ice or in the water or where they can hunt for food. Their white fur helps the bear to be camouflage allowing them to sneak up on the seals which are resting on the ice. Some polar bears will even wait hours by a breathing hole which the seals use to come up for air.
Polar bears will try to fatten up before the sea ice melts as they are no longer able to catch the seals. When the sea ice has melted the bears will move ashore and wonder the land in search of other food sources. They will also wonder along the coastline looking for whales and walruses which have died and been washed up.
Pregnant females will create dens by digging into deep snow drifts, which will provide insulation and protection from the arctic conditions and male polar bears. They give birth during the winter season and usually have twins but can have up to 4 cubs at a time. Newborn cubs are 12 to 14 inches long and weigh about one pound. They are blind, toothless, and covered with short, soft fur. For the first few weeks they are completely dependent on their mother for warmth and food. Females are very protective over their young and will be aggressive towards anything she feels is a threat to them. They do not receive any help from their solitary male mates. Male polar bears may even kill a young.
The young cubs will live with their mothers for up to two years to learn the survival and hunting skills of the arctic. Once ready the cubs will begin their own adventure and maybe will have a family of their own.
