0
Polar Bears
Known scientifically as Ursus Maritimus, the polar bear is native to the Arctic Circle, and is the world's largest carnivore species found on land. It is classified as a vulnerable species, with 5 of the`9 polar bear subpopulations in decline. They have a reputation as the only animal that actively hunts humans, but in fact, anything they encounter is potential prey.
1,835 Questions
How big is a female polar bear adult?
A large female polar bear would stand around seven feet tall, and weigh 450-600 pounds.
How long is a mother polar bear pregnant?
The exact/accurate gestation period is not known but it is around 8 months. Each litter has 2 cubs and sometimes even 3. Cubs weigh around 10 to 15 kilograms (22 to 33 pounds) at birth. Cubs stay with the mother for around 2 to 3 years of their life and then go away.
They have to run out of energy sometime while swimming! So it is possible to drown.
What are the CO2 levels doing to cause polar bear extinction?
Rising levels of CO2 and methane in the atmosphere are causing the temperatures to be warmer in the Arctic. Polar bears can only hunt when ice covers the ocean, but warmer temperatures melt the ice, which causes polar bears to starve.
How can polar bears look white when they have black skin?
A polar bear's skin is black. The fur reflects light, making the polar bear appear white to us (the fur is actually somewhat transparent).
A polar bear's skin is black so it can soak up as much of the sun's rays as possible. Polar bears have almost transparent fur over black skin. Reflection of the sunlight from the densely packed transparent hairs makes polar bears seem to be white. The bears' black skin absorbs heat from the sun. The seemingly-transparent fur is made up of hollow hairs called guard hairs. These air-filled guard hairs help transmit heat from the sunlight to the polar bear's black skin as a solar heat collector. In turn, the reflection stops the heat being lost from their black skin.
The polar bear's fur seems colorless and for many years, scientists worked on the theory that the individual hairs act as fibre optics bringing sunlight directly to the skin. This has recently been proven to be incorrect, and the hairs are not truly transparent, but contain keratin. Viewed side-on, the hairs appear colorless; viewed lengthwise (as if one was looking down a telescope) the hairs no longer appear transparent.
How do the climate zones in the mid-latitude region differ?
Marine West Coastal Climate, Miditerranean Climate, Humid Continental climate, Humid Subtropical Climate. the answer !
Polar bears eat meat. They are great at hunting seals. They have even been witnessed attacking and killing walrus. The can smell carrion from great distances and large numbers of them will frequently show up at whale carcasses. They have also been known to hunt caribou and small ground prey when on dry land. As with other bears - they are attracted to dumps. Last but not least polar bears eat- you. They are not in the habit of avoiding any food and will eat man when the opportunity presents itself. Many of the smaller eskimo communities will kill any polar bear that comes close because they fear, rightly so, that if they run it off it will just come back.
Seals
What type of walrus do polar bears eat?
Due to its sheer size and weight, there are only two known natural predators to adult Walruses. The Orca or Killer Whale and the Polar Bear. Even these predators aren't known to hunt on adults due to the danger of being hurt by their tusks. They prefer the Walrus calves as they are easier to hunt and less dangerous. Young ones that get crushed or wounded in a stampede are the easiest targets for the predators.
Apart from these natural predators, Man is the biggest hunter of Walruses. For centuries, the humans living in the Arctic regions have hunted & consumed Walrus Meat.
What is a Polar Bears habitat like?
The polar bear is found in the Arctic Circle and the nearby islands. They can be found in good numbers in Alaska, Norway, Denmark, Russia and Canada. There are smaller populations in the surrounding regions near the Arctic pole. They prefer the Cold Icy areas of the Arctic and thrive in areas where the human intervention is minimal. They are found in good numbers in areas where their primary prey, the Seals mate and nest.
There are many sites that have pictures and videos available even live animal cameras are open to the public at some Zoos, and other wildlife areas. For some pictures of Polar Bears, and other Arctic animals, please see sites listed below.
What type of fur does a polar bear have?
Polar bears actually have translucent hollow fur, as such that it is so thick that it is reflected back to us as white.
If dark colors absorb heat so well then why is a polar bear white?
Polar bears fur is actually clear. The hair of a polar bear looks white because the color white becomes visible to our eyes when an object reflects back all of the visible wavelengths of light, rather than absorbing some of the wavelengths.
How do the outer coverings of the polar bear and penguin help them to keep warm?
the polar bear has black skin and white fur. the black color absorbs heat, but the white color reflects heat. so when the polar bear gives off heat from its body, the white fur reflects the heat back to the skin and the black skin absorbs the heat, keeping the bear warmer.
Same thing goes to the penguin.
Why will a polar bear never attack a penguin in the wild?
Because they have never seen one. Polar bears live at the north pole and penguins live at the south pole.
