The polar bear is the largest predator on earth. It has a strong body, massive legs, an elongated muzzle and sharp teeth, with which he can easily hunt his prey. The animal has snow-white wool, which is its most important difference from other bears. Over time, it can turn yellow. The cavity of wool is filled with air, this mechanism helps to keep warm.
Adult males and females are 2 to 2.5 meters tall and weigh 200 to 600 kilograms. Bear cubs are born very tiny, 30 centimeters long and weighing 500 grams. The mother takes care of her children only for 2 years, then they leave the den and start an independent, adult life.
Animals live for a long time, their average age is 20-30 years. The long-living polar bear is 45 years old.
Polar bears live in polar regions where it is almost always cold. Therefore, their main habitat is sea ice. They eat fish, which they catch under the ice. They hunt sea seals, sea urchins, eat dead animals, which were thrown ashore.
When summer comes, the polar bear diet becomes modest. They eat berries, birds' eggs and chicks themselves, and fish. In such a hungry period, the animal is able to lose about half its weight. Polar bears are not afraid of people, so they can settle near their homes. In summer, they penetrate into human dwellings and eat meat and fish.
In winter bears go to hibernation, but it is most typical for pregnant females. Before falling asleep for a long time, the animal must provide food and enough fat to keep the body free from hunger during sleep. This period lasts from 50 to 80 days. During sleep, the heart of a polar bear beats less often and breathing is less frequent. This is to ensure that the oxygen contained in the den is spent wisely and that the nutrients are sufficient for the entire duration of sleep.
After hibernation, the polar bear comes out of the den thinner and very hungry, so he goes in search of food. As soon as he eats his first prey, he will eventually regain his weight, which he has lost. And he will regain his big, big look.
Polar bears are observant, but not aggressive at all. Danger can only be posed by females with cubs, so it is better to avoid them.
Polar bears hunt in a special way. They watch their prey, wait and then stun with a huge paw. They grab the prey and pull it out on the ice. Another way is to turn over the ice floe, on which sea seals usually rest. Once in the water, they cannot resist the predator.
Polar bears are ready to breed at the age of 4-8 years. And females mature earlier than males. The pregnancy period is almost as long as in humans and is 8 months. A maximum of 4 cubs are born, unable to see for a month, which feed on the mother's milk.
Polar bears lead a lonely life all their lives, but with the arrival of spring they start looking for a couple to continue their lineage. Since males can attack small cubs, the female spends her pregnancy alone. Most often, they hibernate in their den. A bear gives birth to one to three bears. Bear cubs are born helpless and small about 500 grams.
After the cubs become stronger, the bear leaves the den with them and goes wandering. Until the cubs reach 1.5 years old, they are with their mother, learning how to look for food and survive. A female polar bear can give birth to only 10-15 cubs in her lifetime.
Polar bears, as well as all representatives of this species, are in the Red Book. The countries of the world, where polar bears live, take all measures to preserve this species. In Russia there are two reserves that protect polar bears: the Great Arctic Bears and Wrangel Island.
