Polar bears. Funny, cute animals, and at the same time - dangerous predators. In what natural area does the polar bear live? What land does he live in? These issues are covered in the article.
What are polar bears like?
The white (also called sea) bear is a unique animal. He is the largest predator on the planet. Answering the question in which natural zone the polar bear lives, we can say that it is the northernmost mammal on Earth. In different northern territories, bears differ from each other in length and weight. On the islands of Svalbard, they are the smallest, and the largest inhabit the coast of the Bering Sea. On average, the length of the body of males is about three meters, females - a little more than two. The average weight of males is about 500 kg, females - 250 kg. At the withers, the height of the bear is about one and a half meters. If you compare the bear with other largest predators, then they will yield. Thus, the average weight of the largest Amur tiger is no more than 400 kg.
Polar bear refersto the bear family. It differs from its relatives in larger sizes, a long neck, and a flat head. As the northernmost member of its family, it has a longer and denser hairline, a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. On the soles there is a special wool that does not allow the bear to slip and warms it. Slightly stronger curved large claws serve to hold prey and travel through the icy expanses. Surprisingly, a membrane is located between the bear fingers, the same as that of pinnipeds, which allows them to freely swim underwater in search of prey. Polar bears are also amazing because they can spend quite a long time underwater (up to two minutes).
In cold water, bears can swim for very long distances (about 150 km), developing a speed of about 10 km/h. A thick layer of subcutaneous fat allows you to keep warm in icy water (because the polar bear lives in the Arctic seas.
Severe polar inhabitant
If we talk about the natural zone in which the polar bear lives, it should be said that it dominates the zone of the Arctic deserts. The favorite breeding grounds for polar bears are islands in the seas of the Arctic Ocean basin. It is said above that in such conditions the bear does not freeze due to a thick layer of fat (about 10 cm). Also, the animal's coat is so dense and greasy that it practically does not get wet in the snow and even in the water. Many mistakenly believe that polar bears live in Antarctica. This is not true. They live in the Arctic - in the north, and in Antarctica, in the south, penguins live.
Why is he white?
The polar bear is called because of its inherent color. However, scientists say that the wool of these predators has no color - it is transparent. The refraction of light in the pocket of the guard hairs and the color of the environment around the bear give the impression that the animal's fur is white. If we take into account the zone in which polar bears live (and these are the snowy Arctic deserts), then we must admit that such a play of light is beneficial for bears. They can easily camouflage themselves in the snow, on ice floes while hunting.
Lifestyle
The warm-blooded Arctic inhabitant is perfectly adapted to life in the harsh conditions of the North. Color and tactics allow him to hunt his favorite seals. Dexterous movements with the appearance of a clumsy bear make it possible to catch fish. Polar bears are the most ardent meat-eaters of their family. It is only during the summer months that they can become slightly herbivorous by eating moss or arctic plant berries. Hunting tactics depend on the season. If in winter it mainly waits for seals near the holes, then in summer it swims under water and suddenly attacks animals resting on the shore. The scent of the bear is exceptional: it smells prey for 7 km, and carrion - for 30 km. Even under a meter layer of snow, a bear cannot escape.
At the end of the Arctic winter, offspring appear in bear dens. Bears prepare in advance: they gather together, prepare lairs and go into hibernation. With the approach of childbirth, they awaken, but remain in the den with their cubs for a few more weeks.
Amazing animal
Observing the life of polar bears allows you to compile a list of the most interesting and surprising facts about their life.
- Although polar bears are the largest animals on Earth, they are very small at birth. Their weight rarely exceeds 500 g. Bear milk is so rich that by the end of the fourth month, the weight of cubs increases 20 times, up to 10 kg.
- Bears feed exclusively on the skins and fat of hunted animals. This allows you to accumulate vitamin A in the body. Given the natural area in which the polar bear lives, this vitamin is the most necessary.
- The fur of bears is like snow. It retains heat so well that infrared cameras can't see polar bears. This mech ability sometimes causes the bear to overheat, especially when running fast.
- To preserve the unique properties of their skins, bears thoroughly wash themselves after each meal.
- The nose of a polar bear is not only an organ of smell, but the only part of the body that performs heat exchange. That is why polar bears cover their noses with their paws when they sleep.
