Polar Bears in Trouble

Polar bears have long fascinated us. With their thick, white coats, they look
incredibly cuddly, particularly the cubs. In truth, they are the biggest and
most powerful bears on the planet. Alas, they may be added to the endangered
species list.


Polar bears are an amazingly beautiful animal. Unfortunately, they are under a
lot of pressure as a species due to climate change in the Arctic. Receding ice
and pollution issues are leading to concerns polar bears may be facing
extinction. To better understand polar bears, here's an overview of this
amazing animal.


While penguins are only found in Antarctica, polar bears are only found in the
Arctic Circle. This, of course, means they are particularly susceptible to any
environmental changes in the Arctic.

Polar bears are the largest bear species by over 400 pounds on average. They
are primarily solitary creatures. For food, seal is always on the menu, but
they will also scavenge if they come across something tasty. Interestingly,
polar bears never drink water. They get it all from their meals.


Polar bears are known for their beautiful white coats. In truth, the coats are
not white. The hairs are colorless, hollow tubes that absorb the light giving
them the bears their white color. Polar bear skin is actually black like their
noses. A common myth is the hollow tubes of polar bear skin can act like fiber
optics for your phone. This myth has been disproved, but it gives you an idea
of the nature of the hairs.


Female polar bears usually give birth in the last two months of the year. They
almost always give birth to twins. When it is time to do so, the mothers will
dig dens out of the snow and ice. They will remain in the den without food
until the cubs are able to leave.


When born, polar bear cubs are absolutely tiny. They weigh less than one
pound, which is pretty amazing considering an adult polar bear can weigh 1,100
pounds on average. After birth, the mother will stay with the cubs for two
years and train them in all aspects of polar bear etiquette. After that she
abandons them to their own fates. The fathers take no part in the raising of
the cubs.


As with many animals, polar bears have some unique characteristics. They can
walk up to 40 miles a day and swim up to 60. To catch seals, they stand over a
breathing hole and wait for a seal to come up for air. They then swat the seal
with their left paw, always their left paw for some unknown reason. After
eating, they can go five days without swatting another seal.


As of the writing of this article, polar bear populations are under duress as
the Arctic undergoes fundamental changes. Ice is melting and so is the
territory of the polar bear. Latest estimates indicate only 25,000 polar bears
remain.