Arctic Giants: Polar Bears

Lifestyles

When speaking of polar bears, you may probably imagine the snow-white and rounded bears on the endless white ice fields of the Arctic. Polar bears are huge, but they look even a little adorable.

Polar bears have a territorial range throughout the Arctic, and they are found in these countries: the United States (Alaska), Canada, Greenland, and Norway.

The polar bear is a symbol of the Arctic ecosystem, a seemingly barren environment that supports the world's largest land carnivore. Adult male polar bears can weigh up to 700 kilograms, while females are about half the size of males.

The polar bear's sense of smell is extremely sensitive, seven times that of a canine, and it can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h when running.

Despite their white appearance, polar bears have black skin. This may seem unbelievable, but it's true. Polar bears have long heads and small faces compared to brown bears, small round ears, long slender necks, wide feet, hairy paws, and black skin.

The black skin can be seen on the polar bear's snout, paw pads, lips, and around the eyes. This helps absorb heat and keep the bear warm.

Thousands of years ago, their ancestors migrated to the Arctic, the world of ice and snow. In order to adapt to the environment here, their fur gradually lightened until it became transparent and thicker.

At the same time, it evolved a hollow structure to block the cold. As a result, their fur appears white in the refraction of light.

Polar bears greet their companions with a touch of the nose when they ask for something like food. If a bear is polite, it will be allowed to share food with its companion.

Polar bears can easily soil their fur while eating. In the absence of water, they will clean up stains by creeping forward with their head and belly pressed against the snow.

Polar bears are excellent swimmers and were once thought to be sea animals. They are perfectly adapted to life on sea ice where they hunt their main prey: seals.

Polar bears do not hibernate, and most remain on sea ice to hunt throughout the long winter months.

The greatest threat to polar bears is the change in sea ice habitat due to global warming caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

They need sea ice to hunt seals, and as global warming causes sea ice in the Arctic to shrink, so does the habitat for polar bears.

To protect biodiversity and the common home of mankind, living a green and low-carbon life is better for all.