Polar Bear ( Thalarctos maritimus )
Polar Bear - Polar Bear information - Polar Bear facts, pictures, photos
The Polar bear, the largest of all bears, is situated in the Arctic region particularly inhabiting islands and coastlines. They are often seen travelling on ice pieces in order to find food and other bears. On average they can travel 30 km a day.
Thalarctos maritimus has got a creamy-white thick and oily fur, which is water resistant and offers a great insulation against extremely low temperatures. This fur obtains large amounts of fat tissue and is about 3 cm thick. The Polar bear is about 2.5 metres long with a tail measuring about 10 cm. It can weigh up to 710 kg however the average weight is about 400 kg for a male and 310 kg for a female. Polar bears are great swimmers they can reach speed of 4 km/h. On the ice they can run up to 40 km/h (25mph) and jump amazing 3.7 metres.
Their diet consists of seals, fish, seabirds, ducks, rodents and occasionally even reindeers. They are the biggest bear carnivores. After fertilization the female bear gives birth to 1-4 cubs usually in March or April. Small bears stay with their mother for about 3 years and reach sexual maturity at the age of 5. They live up to 33 years. There are about 20 000 polar bears left in the wild. Polar bear hunting is in some countries regulated or banned.
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