Overview of the Polar Bear

The largest of the bears, the polar bear is also the world’s largest land carnivore. An adult male can weigh up to 1,500 pounds, although the largest confirmed weight was 2,210 pounds. Polar bears live in the icy Arctic, on ice floes (large chunks of ice that float in the ocean). They roam the Arctic in search of food, particularly seals.

Polar bears swim extremely well, using their large front paws to propel themselves through the water. Thick fur keeps them warm, and they are capable of swimming both under the ice and in the open ocean. They can swim up to 25 miles in search of food.

Polar bears are protected from the icy conditions of the Arctic by a thick layer of fat called blubber. The blubber on a polar bear is nearly 4 inches thick. They also have a dense waterproof coat of fur, composed of hollow hair that trap heat. The fur, which is a white color, acts as camouflage in the snow. However, the white coat usually yellows with age.

The polar bear has a great sense of smell, able to detect seals nearly 1 mile away. It has almost no natural predators. The greatest threat to polar bears is climate change. Some believe that if climatic trends continue, polar bears will be wiped out. The polar bear is considered a threatened species.

The polar bear mates between April and May. The cubs are born between 7 and 10 months later, between November and February. The cubs are born blind, and often weigh less than 2 pounds. Each litter usually has two cubs. Female polar bears are known for their affection towards their offspring, and valiance in protecting them. Male polar bears, on the other hand, occasionally kill and eat polar bear cubs, for unclear reasons. In Alaska, 42% of cubs reach 12 months of age, while 15 years ago, 65% did. Cubs are weaned when they reach the age of two and a half years old, when the mother abandons them or chases them away.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net