White bears. Funny, cute animals, and at the same time - dangerous predators. What natural zone does a polar bear live in? What lands does he live on? These issues are covered in the article.
What are they, polar bears?
Белый (его также называют морским) медведь is a unique animal. He is the largest predator on the planet. Answering the question, in what natural zone does the polar bear inhabit, we can say that it is the northernmost mammal on Earth. Bears differing from each other in length and weight live in different northern territories. On the islands of Svalbard they are the smallest, and the largest inhabit the coast of the Bering Sea. On average, the length of the torso of males is about three meters, of females - just over two. The average weight of males - 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 yield. Thus, the average weight of the largest Amur tiger is no more than 400 kg.
The polar bear belongs to the family of Bears.It differs from its relatives by its larger size, long neck, and flat head. As the northernmost member of his family, he has a longer and thick hair, a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. On the soles there is a special wool that does not allow the bear to slide and warms it. Slightly stronger curved large claws are used to hold prey and travel across the icy expanses. Surprisingly, there is a membrane between the fingers of a bear, the same as in the pinnipeds, allowing it to freely float under water in search of prey. Polar bears are also amazing because they can spend quite a long time under water (up to two minutes).
Severe Polar Resident
If we talk about what natural areathe polar bear dwells, it should be said that it dominates in the zone of arctic deserts. A favorite breeding ground 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 a thick layer of fat (approximately 10 cm). Also, the animal's coat is so thick and greasy that it practically does not get wet on the snow and even in the water. Many people mistakenly believe that polar bears live in Antarctica. This is not true. They live in the Arctic - in the north, and in the Antarctic, in the south, penguins live.
Why is it white?
Polar bears are called because of their intrinsic color.However, scientists say that the wool of these predators has no color - it is transparent. Refraction of light in the pocket of the guard hairs and the color of the surrounding bear situation create the impression that the animal's hair is white. If we consider what zone polar bears live in (and these are the snowy arctic deserts), then it must be admitted that such a play of light is beneficial for bears. They can easily disguise themselves in the snow, on the ice during hunting.
Lifestyle
Warm-blooded arctic inhabitant excellentadapted to life in the harsh conditions of the North. Color and tactics allow him to hunt his favorite seals. Deft movements with the look of a cumbersome 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 of arctic plants. Hunting tactics depend on the season. If in the winter it basically waits for seals at holes, in the summer it swims under water and suddenly attacks the animals resting on the shore. The bear’s scent is exceptional: it smells prey for 7 km, and carrion for 30 km. Even under a meter layer of snow from the bear can not hide.
At the end of the arctic winter in bear densthe offspring appears. Bears are prepared in advance: they get together, prepare their dens and hibernate. With the approach of childbirth, they awaken, but remain in the den with their cubs for a few more weeks.
Amazing animal
Observations on the life of polar bears make it possible to compile a list of the most interesting and surprising facts about their lives.
- Although polar bears are the largestanimals on Earth, at birth they are very small. Their weight rarely exceeds 500 g. Bear milk is so fat that by the end of the fourth month the weight of cubs increases by 20 times, up to 10 kg.
- Bears feed exclusively on skins and fathunted animals. This allows you to accumulate in the body of vitamin A. If you consider what kind of natural area inhabited by polar bears, then this vitamin is the most necessary.
- The fur of bears is like snow. It retains heat so well that polar bears cannot see infrared cameras. 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 after each meal carefully washed.
- The polar bear's nose is not only the sense of smell, but the only part of the body that performs heat exchange. That is why during sleep, polar bears cover their nose with their paws.
