White bears. Funny, cute animals, and at the same time - dangerous predators. What natural area does the polar bear live in? What lands does he live on? These issues are covered in the article.
What are polar bears like?
The white (also called marine) 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 most northern mammal on Earth. In different northern territories live different bears 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 body length of males is about three meters, females are slightly 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 major predators, they will be inferior. So, the average weight of the largest Amur tiger is not more than 400 kg.
The polar bear belongs to the Bear family. It differs from its relatives in larger sizes, a long neck, a flat head. As the most northern representative of his family, he has a longer and thicker hair, a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. On the soles there is a special coat that does not allow the bear to slide and warms it. A little stronger curved large claws serve to hold prey and travel through the icy expanses. Surprisingly, the membrane between the bear’s fingers is the same as that of the pinnipeds, which allows it to swim freely underwater in search of prey. Polar bears are also surprising in that they are able to spend under water for quite a long time (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 not freeze in ice water (after all, a polar bear lives in the Arctic seas).
Harsh polar resident
If we talk about the natural zone in which the polar bear lives, it should be said that it dominates the zone of Arctic deserts. A favorite breeding place 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 the thick layer of fat (about 10 cm). Also, the hair of the animal is so dense and greasy that it practically does not get wet in the snow and even in water. Many mistakenly believe that polar bears live in Antarctica. This is not true. They live in the Arctic in the north, and penguins live in Antarctica in the south.
Why is he white?
The polar bear is called because of its inherent coloring. However, scientists say that the coat of these predators has no color - it is transparent. The refraction of light in the pocket of the remaining hairs and the color of the environment surrounding the bear give the impression that the animal’s coat is white. Given the zone in which polar bears live (and these are snowy Arctic deserts), we must admit that such a play of light is beneficial for bears. They can quietly 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 for his favorite seals. Dexterous movements with the appearance of a clumsy bear make it possible to fish. Polar bears are the most ardent meat-eaters of their family. Only in the summer months can they become a little herbivore by eating moss or berries from arctic plants. Hunting tactics vary by season. If in the winter he mainly expects seals at the holes, in the summer he swims under water and suddenly attacks animals resting on the shore. The bear’s scent is exceptional: he senses prey for 7 km, and carrion - for 30 km. Even under a meter-long layer of snow, one cannot hide from a bear.
At the end of the Arctic winter, offspring appear in bear dens. The bears prepare in advance: they get together, prepare their lairs and go to sleep. 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 make a list of the most interesting and amazing facts about their life.
- Despite the fact that polar bears are the largest animals on Earth, they are very small at birth. Their weight rarely exceeds 500 g. Bear’s milk is so fat that by the end of the fourth month the weight of the cubs increases by 20 times, up to 10 kg.
- Bears feed exclusively on the skins and fat of prey animals. This allows you to accumulate vitamin A in the body. Considering the natural zone of the polar bear, this vitamin is the most necessary.
- Bear fur is like snow. It retains heat so well that infrared cameras do not see polar bears. This ability of the fur sometimes leads to overheating of the bear, 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 makes heat transfer. That is why, during sleep, polar bears cover their nose with their paw.