Polar Bears

1. Polar Bears

2. Habitat • A polar bear is a large, carnivorous land mammal that lives natively in the arctic circle. They can be found in places such as Russia, Alaska, Canada, Norway and Greenland.

3. Diet • The polar bear has many special adaptations to help it survive the cold, harsh winter climate, and lives mainly off hunting seals and fish. If there is no food for a long period of time, they will live off fat reserves until their next meal.

4. Reproduction • Female polar bears are ready to mate and reproduce when they are approximately 4-5 years old. • Baby polar bears are called cubs. They are usually born in the spring season.

5. Physical Characteristics • Polar bears are specially adapted for living in the cold. • They have small appendages (external body parts) in order to reduce heat loss. • They also have a thick layer of fur and a thick layer of fat under their skin for insulation.

6. Status • The polar bear is a vulnerable species. • They became vulnerable due to large-scale hunting but this was soon stopped after  controls and quotas began to take effect. • A recent report says that there are currently 20,000-25,000 polar bears and that this number is on the decline. • Climate change is one of the main contributors to this decline. • Global Warming is making the sea ice melt earlier in the year, forcing polar bears back to shore before they have sufficient fat reserves to survive.