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Picture source:
APL -American photo library © 1997-2004
Plans LTD
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Polar Bears - Pictures - Range and Habitat
Polar Bears are found in Greenland, Norway, the former Soviet Union, Alaska and Canada.
These animals inhabit the areas of annual ice that form around the shorelines of the continents and archipelagoes at the circumpolar Arctic. The farthest south that polar bears live all year round is James Bay in Canada. Approximately 28,000 polar bears exist in the wild.
Polar Bears - Pictures - Adaptations
Polar bears are adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. Two layers of thick fur provide them with such good insulation that they experience almost no heat loss. Compact ears and a small tail also prevent heat loss.
They have small bumps called papillae that keep their feet from slipping on ice. They also have strong, powerful claws that enable them to catch seals. They have a keen nose that is powerful enough to detect prey that is miles away.
Young polar bears are inexperienced hunters. Larger adults often chase them from kills. Therefore, starvation is the greatest threat to juvenile polar bears. One more thing that threatens the polar bear is susceptibility to disease. A parasite worm found in infected seals, a staple food for polar bears, can cause severely damaged
ear and tissue problems.
Native arctic peoples still hunt polar bears for food, clothing and handicrafts. Hunting is regulated in Canada, Greenland and the United States, while Norway and Russia have banned hunting polar bears.
Polar Bears - Pictures - Links
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Picture source:
APL -American photo library © 1997-2004
Plans LTD
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A SeaWorld Education Department Resource - Classification, description, habits, and other information.
All about Polar Bears - Classification, distribution, habitat, and other facts.
Bears.org: Polar Bears - The Polar Bear is a mighty hunter of seals. Learn more.
BluePlanetBiomes: Polar Bears - Description, habits, and adaptations.
Creature Feature: Polar Bears - Fun facts about the Polar Bear.
Frequently Asked Questions about Polar Bears - Information on habitat, life style, and diet habits.
Nature Facts: Polar Bears - The Polar Bear is the only aquatic member of the family being often called Sea Bear, as the scientific name (Ursus maritimus) signifies.
Nature's: The Polar Bears - The Polar Bears of Churchill with Ewan McGregor.
Polar Bear -- Kids' Planet -- Defenders of Wildlife - Status, description, habitat, and other information.
Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) - Species account and pictures.
Polar Bear Characteristics - Species characteristics, range, behavior, diet, and reproduction.
Polar Bear Description - Description, evolution, distribution and abundance, and life cycle.
Polar Bear Notes - Brief information on the Polar Bear.
Polar Bear Photo Gallery - A lot of Polar Bear pictures.
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Picture source:
Josh and the Four T
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Polar Bear: Cool Dudes - Fascinating facts about the species.
Polar Bears - Just the Facts - Facts about the Polar Bear.
Polar Bears - Polar Bear facts and pictures.
Polar Bears in Brief - Brief information on the species.
Polar Bears in the Tundra - Life style, habitat, and reproduction information.
Polar Bears: Chaffee Zoological Gardens of Fresno - Diet, behavior, adaptations. Breeding and growth, and other facts.
Polar World - Information, links, and pictures.
Roger Williams Park Zoo: Polar Bear - Description, reproduction, fun facts, and other information.
San Diego Zoo: Polar Bears - Facts about the Polar Bears, life style, description, and habits.
Taiga.net: Polar Bears - Distribution, population size, population trends, unique or special characteristics, threats, and management.
The Arctic's Most Formidable Predator has a Tender Side Too - National Geographic offers information and pictures of the Polar Bear.
The Polar Bear - Description, range, diet, and other facts about Polar Bears.
The Polar Bear Tracker - Learn about the largest earth carnivore and where it lives.
TheBigZoo: Polar Bears - Description, food, habitat, predators, social structure, and more.
Wildlife: Polar Bears - Distribution, history, physical characteristics, adaptations for the cold, thermoregulation, sight, hearing and smell, adaptations to an aquatic environment, and behavior.
