We will explain the latest information on the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of polar bears. Polar bears, known internationally as white bears, live in the northern regions of Japan. They are found in northern North America and northern Eurasia, and are animals that have adapted to the coldest climates. They are also very popular at zoos, so many people know about them.
What is a polar bear? About basic status
Polar bears are carnivores classified in the Mammalia, Carnivora, Ursidae, and Ursidae genus. Their scientific name is Ursus maritimus. They are huge animals, with a body length of 200-250cm and a maximum weight of 800kg, making them bigger than humans. They are born in an icy world, and males are bigger than females. Please refer to the list below. Also known as white bears, they have different food compared to other bears and are more resistant to the cold.
| Japanese（和名） | ホッキョクグマ |
| English（英名） | Polar bear |
| scientific name(学名) | Ursus maritimus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Carnivora、Ursidae、Ursus 哺乳綱、食肉目、クマ科、クマ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 200 – 250cm |
| Weight（体重） | 340 – 800kg |
About classification
Carl Linnaeus classified the polar bear as a type of brown bear, and in the 1758 edition of his book The System of Nature he classified the polar bear as his Ursus maritimus albus-major, articus. There is a strong theory that polar bears are a different species, as they live further north than brown bears, in the Arctic Circle and the Drift Ice Circle.
Polar bear taxonomy
- 界 (Kingdom)： Animalia（動物界）
- 門 (Phylum)： Chordata（脊索動物門）
- 綱 (Class)： Mammalia（哺乳綱）
- 目 (Order)： Carnivora（食肉目）
- 科 (Family)： Ursidae（クマ科）
- 属 (Genus)： Ursus（クマ属）
- 種 (Species)： Ursus maritimus（ホッキョクグマ）
About polar bear habitat
Polar bears live in the Arctic Circle. They are very resistant to the cold. They can also be seen in North America. They live in Greenland, Iceland, Hudson Bay and James Bay in Canada, and even Newfoundland Island, so their range is very wide. They can be seen with walruses in the Arctic. They also hibernate in winter.
Polar Bear Habitat
Regional Distribution
Sea ice areas around the Arctic Circle
Northern North America (Canadian Arctic, northern Alaska)
Coastal Greenland
Northern Europe (Norway, Svalbard, etc.)
Russian Arctic (Siberian coast)
Habitat
On sea ice: Primarily used as hunting grounds
Coastal areas/ice edges: Active around sea ice where seals are found
In summer, as ice thins in some areas, polar bears transition to coastal and island living
Behavior Pattern
Move over a wide area depending on food and weather conditions
In winter, they hunt for seals on thick sea ice
In summer, as the ice melts, polar bears expand their hunting range or sometimes rest along the coast
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Polar bears are characterized by their ice-like fur and feet, which are mainly pure white. Not only their fur color, but also their physical appearance is different from other bears, with a long body, narrow shoulders, and short, round ears. Their fur is made up of 5cm of underfur and 15cm of topfur, and they have five fingers on each of their four limbs. They live alone near the coast, and when they have time in the snow, they travel over a wide area in search of prey. They can also swim, and their dens can be found in hollow spaces.
- Physical Characteristics
Physique: Large bear. Males measure approximately 2.4-3m in length, while females measure approximately 1.8-2.4m.
Weight: Males 300-600kg, Females 150-300kg
Fur Color: Although they appear white, their transparent, hollow fur covers the underlying black skin.
Ears and Tail: Small, rounded, and help reduce body heat loss.
Feet: Wide, splaying soles allow for stable walking on snow and ice.
Claws: Strong and sharp, adapted for hunting seals and moving across ice.
- Ecological Characteristics
Diet: Highly carnivorous, primarily preying on seals.
Also feeds on fish, birds, and carcasses.
Activity: Primarily solitary, active day and night, but primarily hunts on sea ice.
Swimming: Capable of long-distance swimming, they can cross ice cracks and oceans.
Reproduction: They mate in the spring, conceive in winter dens, and give birth to 1-3 cubs.
- Physiological Characteristics
Cold Adaptation: Thick blubber and dense fur allow them to survive in temperatures approaching -50°C.
Smell: They can detect seal holes and prey from afar.
Behavior: They have a wide range of movement, sometimes traveling hundreds of kilometers depending on food and ice conditions.
What will your personality look like?
Research has revealed that polar bears are ferocious and aggressive, and often attack people. There have been reports and news of adult men dying not only in the harsh Arctic Ocean sea ice and on the ice, but also in Russia, North America, and Alaska. Polar bears are larger than humans and are very sturdy. As temperatures are warming, they have adapted to being seen in areas where humans live. They are good swimmers, and their white bodies make them look large, making them look very large and scary.
Polar Bear Personality and Behavior Tendencies
Highly alert and cautious
To survive in the wild, polar bears are highly sensitive to other predators and humans.
Keep their distance when they sense danger.
Highly independent
Generally solitary
Do not form groups except during breeding season or with mothers and cubs.
Curious but cautious
Sensitive to prey and changes in the environment, they show interest, but are highly adept at assessing risk.
They have also been observed checking for holes, carcasses, and driftwood on the sea ice.
Aggression is situation-dependent.
They become aggressive if they or their cubs are in danger.
Generally, they rarely attack outside of hunting behavior necessary for survival.
Maternal Bear Personality
They are highly defensive during the nursing period, and become aggressive to protect their cubs.
What is the ecology of polar bears?
Polar bears are highly carnivorous, living off seals and fish. Depending on the time of year, they will use their large bodies to swim through the icy ocean in search of food. The breeding season is from March to June, and the mother’s pregnancy period is 195 to 265 days. Females can give birth to 1-4 pups at a time. Raising the young is usually completed quickly, and most of the cubs grow and become sexually mature in 5-6 years, becoming able to hunt. Their lifespan is 30-35 years.
- Habitat
Live mainly on sea ice and coastal areas in the Arctic.
When the ice recedes in summer, they migrate to coastal and island areas.
They are primarily solitary creatures, traveling over a wide area in search of food.
- Diet
Main Food: Seals (especially ring seals).
Other Food: Birds, fish, carcasses (drifted seals and whales), fruit, etc.
Hunting Method: They ambush prey in holes in the sea ice and catch them when they take a breather.
- Behavior Pattern
Activity Period: Active day and night.
Swimming: Capable of long-distance swimming, they move between sea ice in search of prey.
Migration: They may travel tens to hundreds of kilometers depending on food and ice conditions.
- Breeding
Estrous season: Spring (March-April)
Gestation period: Approximately 195-265 days (including embryonic resting)
Give birth to 1-3 cubs
Raising is primarily the responsibility of the mother, who remains dependent on her for approximately two years
- Adaptations and Physiology
Their thick blubber and dense fur allow them to withstand extreme cold.
Their paw pads and claws are adapted for movement on ice.
Their excellent sense of smell allows them to detect prey from long distances.
- Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Major threats: Sea ice decline due to global warming, food shortages, and environmental pollution
What are polar bears’ natural enemies?
Polar bears are predators and use their excellent sense of smell to find prey. As they are the top predators, they have no enemies, but their natural enemy is humans. However, in the sea they have their strongest enemy, the killer whale, so they often get eaten. In recent years, the number of people hunting for their fur has increased, making it difficult for them to live in peace. Currently, polar bears, especially cubs, are being hunted in large numbers, and they are listed on the Red List.
About Polar Bear Cubs
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs undergo a unique developmental process designed to help them survive in the extremely cold environment. The process is summarized below.
- Appearance and Body Shape
Birth Weight: Approximately 0.6-1 kg
Body Length: Approximately 30-40 cm
Fur Color: White from birth, almost the same color as adult bears
Fur: Soft and dense, protects from the cold
- Growth Process
2-3 Weeks: Eyes open, hearing and smell develop
1 Month: Begins walking and playing
2-3 Months: Begins weaning from mother, learns to feed on milk and small prey
6 Months: Rapidly increases in size and weight, practices hunting skills near mother
1-2 Years: Becomes independent from mother and becomes capable of hunting independently
- Socialization and Behavior
Highly dependent on mother
Learns hunting and ice travel through play and exploration
Behaviors acquired during cubhood are directly linked to survival
Stays with mother, masters danger avoidance and swimming skills
- Physiological Characteristics
Lactation lasts approximately 4-6 months
Nutrition is dependent on breast milk and is rich in fat
Her coat is adapted to extreme cold, providing excellent heat retention
- Growth Points
Learning hunting techniques and behavior in extreme cold environments from their mothers as young cubs is essential for survival
Play and exploration improve motor skills and survival skills
Are polar bears an endangered species?
Polar bears are listed as an endangered species. The estimated population is said to be 22,000 to 30,000. The reasons why the population is decreasing are as follows. Zoos and organizations have begun to protect them, and exhibits are being shown at events.
Impact of climate change
One example is the impact of climate change. It is said that the areas where polar bears can live will decrease with global warming. It is predicted that two-thirds of the world’s polar bears could become extinct by 2050.
Starvation due to lack of food
There is also the possibility of starvation due to lack of food. It has been suggested that global warming may change the areas in which the seals and fish that feed on animals are active, making it difficult to secure food in nearby areas. Lack of nutrition is said to reduce the reproductive rate of adult females and increase the mortality rate for cubs and young bears, putting their future in jeopardy.
Can polar bears be bred?
Polar bears live in extremely cold regions and are ferocious, so they are not suitable for human care.
- Captivity
Ordinary households: Impossible
Due to their large size and strength, they cannot be kept safely in a home environment.
Private captivity is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Zoos and research facilities: Captivity is permitted with special permission.
Managed for breeding, conservation, education, and research purposes.
Captivity environments include simulated extreme cold and large exercise areas.
- Difficulties in Captivity
Adapted to extreme cold
Dense fur and thick fat allow these creatures to withstand the cold.
Keeping them in warm regions poses a high risk of heatstroke and stress.
Large size and strong
Males weigh 300-600 kg and are extremely strong, making safe captivity in a home impossible.
Special diet
Eat mainly seals and other carnivores.
Large amounts of raw meat are required, making home feeding impractical.
- The Significance of Conservation and Breeding
The purpose of breeding at zoos and conservation facilities is to protect, educate, and research endangered species.
Even when breeding from a young age, it is important to maintain behaviors adapted to the natural environment.
In conclusion, polar bears cannot be kept as pets at home; captivity is permitted and managed only in specialized facilities.
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