Polar Bears - Distribution
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Picture source:
APL -American photo library © 1997-2004
Plans LTD
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Polar bears occur in Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland and islands that lie off the north coast of Europe. They were also seen in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Polar bears are one of the few species that are perfectly accustomed to live in areas with extremely harsh climatic conditions. Mostly they can be found close to water. They can spend a long time in the water. They dive for fish or hiding seals. Polar bears can be found all the way across the globe's north polar cap. They can travel on drifting ice or by swimming. Polar Bears - Breeding
Polar bears do not hibernate the way other bears do. They mate in spring and 6-8 months later females have cubs. Pregnant females build dens in big snow drifts. A female bear can have 1 to 3 cubs. Newly born cubs are no bigger than rabbits. They are blind and naked. About 6 months later, in spring, cubs start leaving the den to get used to the environment and take hunting lessons. They continue to study hunting for as long as 2 and half years with their mother. After 3 to 5 years they achieve puberty. Polar bears live 15-20 years.
Polar Bears - Feeding
Polar bears hunt seals and fish. They have a remarkable aptitude of tracking seals in their shelters. Seals usually make openings in ice, which they use for breathing when they are under ice. They usually pop out of these openings with the interval of 10 minutes and at such moments they risk to fall prey to bears.
A Polar bear has a knack for spotting seals' shelters. In places where ice is not too thick, they simply crash through and get the prey. Polar bears also feed on fish, eggs of polar birds, polar foxes and reindeer. They also feed on carrion, but no bear will ever touch a corpse of another bear. Old Polar bears may prefer plants.
Polar Bears - General Information Links
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Picture source:
Amit Marathe
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ADW: Ursus maritimus: Classification - This site contains a lot of general information on polar bears.
All About Bears - Polar Bear - Enjoy several photos of the magnificent white bear and read of its natural history. Gives several related links.
allRefer Reference - Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) - Check out the distribution, habits, characteristics, habitat, anatomy, species, behavior, and diet of the large white bear found on the coasts of arctic North America.
Image of Polar Bear - Image of Polar bear on tundra.
Lioncrusher's Domain - Polar Bear Facts -.Range and Habitat Polar bears
live in the Arctic Circle in Greenland, Canada, and adjacent ice sheets.
Polar Bear - Contains information about polar bears such as habitat, description, and behavior.
Polar Bear - ENN.com - Factoids from the Environmental News Network
Polar Bear - Polar Bears Alive - Non-profit organization dedicated to the worldwide protection of the polar bear and its arctic habitat.
Polar Bear - theBigZoo.com - Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) facts and photos.
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) - Click and read about Polar bears. Also see some interesting images.
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) - This site can be an almost real adventure into the Kingdom of Ice and Ice White Creatures.
Polar Bear Eco-Stat - Learn about the distinguishing marks of these animals, their home turf, and how climate changes could impact them.
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Picture source:
APL -American photo library © 1997-2004
Plans LTD
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Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) - Visit this site and give yourself a briefing on the world's biggest predators.
Polar Bear - Learn about the size, habitat, diet, population, and behavior of the Polar Bear.
Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus - Pictures of Polar Bears.
Polar Bears - Information on the Polar bear including physical description, behavior, habitat and their status as a threatened species. Polar Bear links and pictures.
Polar Bears - Sketch and short description from the Canadian Museum of Natural History
Polar Bears - Ursus maritimus - General description and habitat
Polar bears - Ursus maritimus - General information and description.
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) - Polar Bear information.
Polar Bears Alive - Nonprofit organization dedicated to helping polar bears. On the left find links to Bear Facts, Polar Bear Maps, pictures in the Polar Bear Gallery, and Polar Bear FAQ.
Polar Bears Alive - Preservationist group works to ensure the survival of the species. Read about their goals, find out about cubs and prey, or become a member
Polar World - Polar Bears - Click and learn more about the species and their habitat.
What Has Been Happening to Polar Bears in Recent Decades - Authoritative essay detailed on the NOAA Arctic Theme Page on the status of Polar Bear populations in recent decades including gallery of photographs.
Smithsonian Magazine - Bear Trouble - Describes the environmental and industrial hazards affecting the population of Polar Bears near Svalbard, Norway.
Ursus maritimus - IUCN Red List of threatened species. Ursus maritimus and their Taxonomy.
Polar Bears - Other Polar Bears sites
Polar Bears - The largest living carnivores on earth, Polar Bears are found in regions of the Arctic. They are commonly seen on the territory that belongs to Canada, Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The species has been seen as far south as Greenland and Iceland. In winter, the Polar Bear prefers southern areas. Coastlines are favorite sites of bearing females. In summer months, the species is often observed in areas with land-fast ice.
The scientific name of the species is Ursus maritimus. It stems from the notion that this is a marine species that spends a lot of time in water. In fact, these animals do perfectly well on the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean. This is where the Polar Bear usually hunts and gives birth to the cubs.
Polar Bears Pictures - Polar bears are the largest bear species. They tend to weigh between 440 and 1760 pounds with an overall body length of 8 feet 5 inches. These animals have a distinctive all white coat, triangular profile, long neck, and small ears.
The nose, lips and all skin under the fur are black. The bears have very wide front paws, which are very helpful for paddling through arctic waters. These animals use their hind feet as rudders. One of the peculiarities of their appearance is that the bears have no eyelashes. Otherwise, they would freeze in the cold.
