Page 142 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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“The main threat to these

majestic bears is the
encroaching of human

civilisation on their home
and, most importantly,

climate change”

Powerful senses of

an oceanic giant

Impeccable senses to conquer the most inhospitable environment on Earth
Deceptively fluffy, the polar bear is the breathing holes that seals cut into the

fearsome king of the Arctic and is top ice. The seals will surface every 5 to 15
of the polar food chain. Found across minutes to, and this is when the bear
the Arctic Circle, there are around 19 strikes. Bears even stalk the seals as they
populations of polar bears living in four bask on the ice, creeping closer and
different ice regions of the Arctic. These closer before pouncing on their prey.
bears freely roam the ice around the As primarily solitary beasts, polar
fringes of the polar basin, and although bears differ greatly with their social
they stay in their home ranges, some can interactions. Although not territorial,
wander for miles. some will be very wary or aggressive to
Polar bears depend on the sea and its other bears when they approach, but
ice for food. These bears eat a diet rich others will greet the new bear like an old
in fat, consisting mainly of seals – their friend and play for hours. As such, these
favourite flavour being ringed or bearded bears show distinct personality traits and

seal, which are rich in blubber. However, individual preferences.
bears will also take opportunistic meals, The main threat to these majestic
and feast on Arctic birds, eggs, bears is the encroaching of human
sometimes whales, and even civilisation in their home and, most
the odd caribou. importantly, climate change. This is at
These fi erce hunters its extremes in the poles, with the Arctic
use their powerful sea ice’s minimum summertime coverage
sense of smell reducing by 12 per cent per decade for
to locate the last 30 years.

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