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 Polar Bears originally evolved from brown bears,
thousands of years ago. They have adapted to life in
cold climates and are unsuited to life in warm climates.
Their skin is actually black, under a thick layer of water-repellent,
translucent fur. The black skin absorbs heat from the
sun, and a thick layer of fat keeps them well insulated
from the cold, especially when swimming. As a result,
Polar Bears have to move slowly, otherwise they may
overheat. They can, however, maintain a running speed of
up to 30 miles per hour for as long as an hour.
 Adult bears vary in size. A fully grown male is
usually between 6.5 - 8 feet from nose to tail and weigh
between 900-1300 lbs. Females are usually about half the
size of males, and newborns are approximately the size
of guinea pigs.
Polar Bears have unique paws, which function as snow
shoes, and contain tiny bumps (papillae) to aid in traction on ice.
Their claws are generally shorter than other bears', and
suited for walking on ice and climbing steep, slippery
banks. They have large, sharp teeth, however, Polar
Bears tend to swallow their food in large chunks rather
than chew it.
 Ringed
Seals are the main prey of Polar Bears, but they will
also hunt bearded and harp seals. The bears will lie and
wait for hours, if necessary, at breathing holes for the
seals to come up. If there are no seals around, Polar
bears will eat other animals, including fish, birds,
walrus and even whale. Close to Churchill and other
settlements, Polar bears will frequent garbage dump
areas to forage.
Polar bears fast during the ice-free season, making
it critical to their survival to feed as much as
possible in the months leading up to summer. Fat intake
is especially important, as stored body-fat is the
primary source of nutrients and energy until the ice
returns.
 Adult
polar bears are generally very solitary by nature and
avoid group interaction during the ice-flow season.
Breeding generally takes place during the ice-free
season, when bears gather along the water's edge to
await the return of the ice. A male and female will
remain together for around a week, then the pregnant
female will dig her den out of a deep snow drift and
raise her cubs alone. Gestation period is two months,
and a female usually gives birth to two small cubs. The
mother nurses her cubs with milk until they are large
enough to safely venture out of the den (approx.
22lbs.). Cubs remain with their mother for about two and
a half years before venturing out on their own.
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