Fast Facts: Polar Bear

The word Arctic is derived by the Greek word meaning 'bear'. This is how you can remember that Polar Bears are found in the Arctic and not that other icy region on the other side of the Earth. 

The Polar Bear : Ursus maritimus

Description: The Polar Bear is the largest surviving species of bear in the world. Males typically grow to around 1500 pounds at adulthood and females typically reach 500 pounds. Polar Bears are distinguishable from other bears because of the bright white appearance of their fur. However, Polar Bears also differ from other bear species because of their longer skulls and noses and smaller ears and tails. These elongated features make the Polar Bear a powerful swimmer. A Polar Bear also has smaller, stockier claws that are better disposed to grip ice and large prey. 

Habitat: Polar Bears live in the coastlines and sea ice of the Arctic. The Arctic ice is the ideal place for Polar Bears to hunt for seals. They typically spend 5-6 months on land and the other half of the year on the partially frozen sea. Polar Bears are native to the Arctic Circle; they are rarely found in the wild elsewhere. 

Diet: With 42 teeth at its disposal, the Polar Bear is able to eat 100 pounds of meat in one sitting; because of their thick blubber and fat, seals are a Polar Bear's ideal meal. Their body type requires large amounts of fat to support their life in the Arctic's environment. Polar Bears are categorized as hypercarnivores, predators whose diets are made up of at least 70% meat. However, Polar Bears often go weeks without eating because of the Arctic's extreme conditions which cause influxes in the availability of prey. Other kinds of prey a Polar Bear may resort to include rodents, reindeer, and even small whales. 

Behavior: Polar Bears are solitary; it's unusual for more than one Polar Bear to be seen in the same area with the exception of the breeding season. Polar Bears have multiple hunting techniques they use; one is still-hunting. A Polar Bear will wait hours at any of the breathing holes scattered around the Arctic ice. When a seal comes up for air, the Polar Bear will snap out of its motionless state and kill its prey. Another method of hunting is stalking. Polar Bears blend into the environment as they stalk seals relaxing on the ice. Eventually, at around 40 feet, the Polar Bear will sprint to catch its prey. Still-hunting is the most common hunting technique for polars bears and appears to be the most effective technique. 

Conservation Status: Polar Bears are listed as Vulnerable; the biggest factor contributing to their population loss is climate change. Warming temperatures melt the Arctic's sea ice, the Polar Bears habitat and structure for hunting. 

Unique Traits: As stated above, Polar Bears are known for their snowy white fur that allows them to blend into the environment. However, a Polar Bear's fur isn't actually white; Polar Bear hairs are transparent and reflect the light bouncing off the other white surfaces in the environment. This is what creates the white fur effect of the Polar Bear. In contrast, underneath all that fur is a Polar Bear's black skin. This skin, along with fat and fur, helps keep Polar Bears warm in the Arctic's freezing conditions. 

https://www.aspentravel.co.uk/tour/circumnavigating-svalbard-in-the-realm-of-the-polar-bear-99355/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bear#Physical_characteristics

https://polarbearfacts.net/how-much-do-polar-bears-eat/

https://polarbearfacts.net/how-do-polar-bears-hunt-seals/