Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus)

Polar bears live only in the northern Arctic where they spend most of their time on ice floes. They are the largest land meat-eater in the world and the largest of the bear family. They are well suited to the cold Arctic ice and snow.

Characteristics and Physical Features of the Polar Bear

Identification:

Height: Average adult male 8.5 ft. (2.6 m)
Average adult female 6.5 ft. (2 m)
Weight: Average adult male 900 lbs. Average adult female 500 lbs.
Color: Off-white fur with black nose, eyes and mouth.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The polar bear has many unique adaptations for dealing with the Arctic cold. The polar bear's skin is actually black, which allows it to soak up as much heat as possible from the sun. They are also great swimmers and will swim from ice floe to ice floe. They have been seen swimming 50 miles away from any ice or land.

Breeding: Sexually mature at 4-8 years. Breed polygamously, April through June, with 1-3 cubs every 28 months. Pregnant females dig a den in October through December where cubs are born December to January and stay until March or April. Lactation lasts 28 months. May live 25-30 years.

Habitat:

Range: They spend their entire life associated with pack ice. Females may prefer ice along the shoreline while others prefer moving sea ice at the floe edge -usually within 180 miles of shore.

Diet: Eats mostly ringed and bearded seals. They will occasionally eat other mammals, eggs, vegetation and beach-cast carrion. Polar bears don't drink water. They get all the liquids that they need from the animals that they eat.