Polar Bear ~ Largest Land Carnivore.
Ursus maritimus, which translates to "sea bear," is the polar bear's scientific name. Polar bears can only be found in the frigid Arctic area, when winter lows can reach -50°C. They are only found in the circumpolar zone, where 19 populations exist, since they are well suited to the frigid temperatures. The northern part of Canada is home to more than 40% of all polar bears.
The honor of being the largest land carnivore belongs to polar bears. Adults are bigger than the dreaded grizzly bear, measuring around 8 feet long and weighing 300 to 700 kg. The 10 cm thick layer of fat and blubber under their blackish skin accounts for 50% of their total body weight.
The white fur of polar bears is so dense, oil-coated, and water-repellent that even while they are swimming in the sea, water does not touch their skin. Each hair is hollow inside and translucent, refracting and reflecting visible light to give the fur its snow-white appearance.
Polar bear paws have foot pads with papillae on the soles and can grow up to 12 inches long. These features help the bears spread their body weight over a broader area and maintain a firm hold on the slick ice. Polar bear claws are two inches long, curled, sharp, and powerful to help with climbing over icy hills and prevent slipping on ice.
Swimming
Polar bears can swim from one iceberg to the next and hunt seals in the water because to their exceptional swimming and diving abilities. In quest of food, they can also swim beneath an ice sheet. Polar bears can swim for hundreds of kilometer's continuously at a speed of roughly 10 km/h. They are renowned for being the only land mammals to thrive in the ocean, frequently travelling great distances with ease thanks to their fatty bodies and waterproof fur. Polar bears have been known to swim nonstop for several days to reach 400 kilometer's in a marathon without stopping. Bears are able to travel large distances by water thanks to these arduous trips.
Hibernation
Unlike brown and black bears, which hibernate in dens, polar bears do not. Instead, they continue to be active all winter long, despite the bitter cold. However, in November and December, expectant females carve out a protective cave in the snow, where they give birth to one to three pups. The mother and her cubs both eat her fat reserves while denting. For almost three months, they are safe and shielded from the wind and cold inside the den. Because they must maintain a greater body temperature to meet the demands of pregnancy, delivery, and nursing, mother bears do not go into profound hibernation. When the cubs are ready to survive outside, around March or April, polar bear families typically leave their dens.
Hunting
While lounging in the sun or via the breathing holes they have carved out in the ice sheet, polar bears seek their preferred prey, the seals. They also consume plants and berries, go on hunts for fish, and kill other creatures. Additionally, they scavenge dead fish, walruses, and whales. In order to build up body reserves of fat, they typically eat the skin and fat of their prey. No other animal can consume such a high-fat diet and digest it like these bears can.
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