Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Genus: Ursus
Species: Maritimus
Closely related to the brown bear, a polar bear has thick fur and lives in the Arctic. The fur looks white, but is actually yellow. Their unique fur allows the polar bears to blend into the snowy environment and trap heat while they hunt for their favorite prey — seals. Their fur coat is made of two layers, which helps to keep them warm in temperatures as low as -50 Farenheit. The oils that coat the fur also help keep them warm and dry by repelling water when they swim in the cold ocean. They swim so often that the United States, Norway, Greenland and Russia classify them as marine mammals
Polar bears are beautiful animals that are incredibly well adapted for their harsh environment. Unfortunately, human activity is putting them in danger. They are classified as a vulnerable species. Pollution and loss of habitat are the main threats to the species. However, in 2000, both the United States and Russia agreed to work together to help protect the polar bears.
• Polar bears live in Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland and Norway.
• Adult male polar bears can weigh between 775 and 1,300 pounds and reach more than 10 feet tall when standing upright.
• Only pregnant female polar bears hibernate, during this time they give birth, usually to three cubs.
• They are carnivores. Their favorite meal is ringed seal, but they are known to eat other land and water animals.
• They hunt on the edge of pack ice.
• They are solitary.
• They can swim up to 200 miles into the ocean.
• Their wide paws are partly webbed making excellent paddles.
• Underneath their white fur is black skin that works to soak up the warmth of the sun.
• 4 inches of fat underneath the skin also keep the bears toasty in the Arctic weather.
• Newborn cubs are hairless and blind, but can weigh around 20 pounds when hibernation is over.
• Polar bears live around 25 years in the wild.
