POLAR BEARS
Leah, Ilziba
Ursus Maritimus, also known as polar bears, are the least aquatic of all marine mammals and live in the arctic circle.Today there are 20-25 000 polar bears in the world, out of that 60-80% live in Canada. They are from the family of Ursidae which all 8 bear species belong to.The order of polar bears is Carnivora (carnivours.) All carnivours have strong claws, long snouts and canine teeth, the premolars are ideal for shredding meat.
Introduction
BASIC INFO
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Average lifespan:
15-18 Years.
Habitat:
Arctic circle
60-80% in Canada
Food:
Mainly seals, when available whale caracasses.
Other fish and walrus if desperate enough.
Population:
20-25 000
Scientific name:
Ursus Maritimus
Latin for sea bear
Status of ecological health:
Vulnerable
Photos:
Niche:
Polar bears live in the arctic, they live on ice and swim in the ocean. At the top of the food chain, they are only hunted/killed by humans. Seals are hunted by polar bears.
Polar Bear Diet
The polar bear diet mainly consists of ringed and bearded seals. Depending on where they live, they will also eat harp seals, hooded seals and carcasses of whales and walruses. When necessary, they will hunt beluga whales and walruses for food. If they are unable to hunt or too far from food, they will scavenge garbage from nearby villages and towns.
Traits and Skills
The polar bear has many traits and body parts that have adapted to the environment and help the polar bear survive in their harsh habitat.
Two coats of fur and a thick layer of blubber keep these animals warm, as well as the black skin, which absorbs sunlight.
Paws with webbing to help the polar bears swim effictively. Hair and bumps on the bottom provide traction.
Strong noses help them to hunt prey.
Clear skin to reflect the light and to help the bears camouflage.
Does not hibernate in the winter but in the summer they enter a energy conservation state.
Has an APOB gene which transfers fat from blood into cells.
Traits and Environment
A Polar Bear Hunting
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Sharing the Habitat
There are many other animals that live along with the polar bear. These include reindeer, ox, moose, orca, walrus, seal, arctic fox, narwahle and snowy owls. There are 12 species of marine animals, 4 species of whales and 6 species of ice associated seals.
Relationships
The polar bear does not have interactions with many of the other animals, the one that it interacts most with is the ringed seal. Waiting patiently by a hole in the ice, the polar bear will snatch up seals as they come up for air. It also preys on fish and walrus and will happily eat the carcases of whales. Naturally polar bears are on top of the food chain, the only predator it has are humans,
