| The polar bears (Thalarctos maritimus) live in the | | | | are close enough to rush their prey, particularly if no |
| Arctic regions of the north near open water where | | | | cover is available. Besides seals, polar bears will eat |
| they can find their main source of food which are | | | | Arctic foxes, birds, baby walruses and even man if |
| seals. These bears are huge with adults at 7 to 8 | | | | they are extremely hungry. |
| ½ feet tall and up to 1,600 pounds. Polar bears | | | | Males and females stay apart for most of the year |
| are white to creamy white all year round which gives | | | | except during the summer mating season. Females |
| them excellent camouflage against the Arctic snow | | | | tend to breed only every other year and when they |
| when hunting. Along with the Arctic fox, the polar | | | | do, usually 1 to 4 cubs are born during March to April. |
| bear is the most northerly located land mammal on | | | | The polar bear cubs stay with their mothers for 1 to |
| earth. | | | | 2 years. The life span of polar bears can be up to 34 |
| Unlike other species of bears, polar bears have longer | | | | years. |
| necks and smaller heads making them appear more | | | | The Inuit hunt polar bears for their fat, tendons and |
| streamlined. Despite their large sizes, they are | | | | fur. Scientists say that climate changes have been |
| incredibly fast being able to run up to 25 miles per | | | | reducing the ice floes in the Arctic which has |
| hour. At speeds like this, a polar bear can outrun a | | | | disrupted the polar bear's feeding grounds and |
| reindeer. They are also excellent swimmers being able | | | | migration patterns. There are estimates of about |
| to swim at about 3 miles per hour but for | | | | 22,000 to 25,000 polar bears left in the world with 60 |
| considerable distances. | | | | percent of them in the Canadian Arctic region. Their |
| During winters, they spend most of their time on the | | | | populations are thought to be stable for now but |
| ice floes hunting seals. Polar bears have rough, | | | | some speculate that the species is at risk. Some |
| leathery pads on the bottoms of their feet to | | | | think that if climate changes continue at its present |
| maintain footholds on slippery ice surfaces. Their | | | | rate and if worldwide hunting is not adequately |
| adaptation to the cold Arctic waters is even more | | | | controlled, polar bears could face extinction in about |
| impressive. Their thick coats of fur traps a deep | | | | 100 years. There is presently much debate on |
| layer of insulating air around their bodies. An inner | | | | adjusting annual hunting quotas of polar bears, even |
| layer of fur is so compact that it is almost impossible | | | | for Inuit hunters, to further help protect these great |
| to wet it. An outer layer of long guard hairs mat | | | | bears. |
| together in the water which forms another layer | | | | Polar bears have become the most popular symbol |
| over the inner layer. After a polar bear leaves the | | | | of the Arctic north with representations used in |
| water, it simply shakes its body which results in most | | | | everything from soft drink commercials to corporate |
| of the water being thrown right off leaving the bear | | | | logos of northern based companies including Canadian |
| almost dry. These protective layers of fur ensure | | | | North airlines. Nunavut even has their license plates |
| that the polar bear's skin is kept dry most of the | | | | cut in the shape of a polar bear. Tourists can see |
| time, even while in the Arctic waters. | | | | polar bears in the wild through unique tours on |
| Polar bears hunt seals by waiting for seals to come | | | | specially designed tundra buggies in Churchill, Manitoba |
| through holes in the ice to breathe. They also stalk | | | | Canada. It's also not surprising that polar bears are |
| their prey utilizing their white camouflage abilities | | | | some of the most sought after Inuit art sculptures. |
| against the mounds of ice. Sometimes polar bears | | | | Polar bears are definitely the rulers of the Arctic |
| have been known to crawl on their bellies until they | | | | north. |