Page 143 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Polar bears
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POLAR BEAR
Ursus maritimus
Class Mammalia

Territory Arctic Circle
Diet Seals
Lifespan 25-30 years
Adult weight 410-720kg /
900-1,600lbs
Conservation Status

VULNERABLE

Dangers of growing up in the Arctic

It’s a tough job being a polar bear cub, with a plethora of Arctic obstacles to
overcome. Cubs rely on their mother and instinct to help them survive

Life at sub-zero
Cubs are born in November
and December, and Arctic
winter temperatures can
drop to −50°C/−58°F. For a
very little bear that’s a chilly
start to life! Luckily, the snow
den that the mother builds
is insulated, creating a snug
haven for cub development.

No choice but to swim in icy water
Bear cubs are introduced to water at a young age, but as the ice becomes
sparse, cubs have to follow their mother on longer, incredibly exhausting
swims. Small bears have less blubber, meaning less insulation and
buoyancy in the chilly Arctic waves.
Predators on the prowl
Once the bear cubs poke
their tiny white snouts
over the threshold of their
mother’s snow den, they
could face hungry animals Global warming melts polar bears’ homes
much bigger than them Retreating sea ice can mean a potential lack of food. Mother bears need
looking for a quick meal. to keep their energy intake up to provide very young cubs with rich,
The main threat is from fully nutritious milk, while bigger cubs need to learn how to hunt. Without sea
grown male polar bears. ice there’s less seal fishing to be done, which limits the bears’ diet.

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