POLAR BEAR
CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Carnivora
Family:Ursidae
Genus:Ursus
Species:U. maritimus
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Carnivora
Family:Ursidae
Genus:Ursus
Species:U. maritimus
MORPHOLOGY
Polar bears have a long neck and a small head with a smooth facial profile and small ears. The ears on a newborn do not have any hair and are closed while lying back on the head. As with other bears, the vibrissae are vestigial and the lips are mobile and protrusible. They also have a massive skull.
Distribution
Polar bears are natives to the cold arctic climates of high latitudes. Polar bears are commonly found around the North Pole. These areas include: parts of Canada, extending from the northern Arctic Islands to the southern Hudson Bay area, Greenland, islands near the coast of Norway, the Soviet Union coast, and the coasts of Alaska.
Why are polar bears important?
Polar bears are what are known as an umbrella species. Many organisms are connected to polar bears via a food web. For example, the Arctic Fox depends on the polar bear for food they eat the left over seal carcass after the polar bear is done. Polar bears feed on seals, without the predator then the seal population might increase also affecting the fish that seals feed on and so on.
biology
Polar bears are the largest land carnivore. Adapted for the cold, polar bears have a thick fur coat that appears white in coloration, but is really translucent. Their black skin color is readily apparent on the nose, eyes, lips and footpads. In addition to their size and color, polar bears may also be distinguished from other bear species by their smaller ears, longer necks and the lack of a dorsal hump in adults. Polar bears are strong swimmers, paddling dog-style with their partially webbed front paws while holding their hind feet and legs flat like rudders. Scientists have tracked polar bears swimming continuously for 100 km. On land they are capable of reaching speeds of 40 kph while running in short bursts.
vocabulary
Carnivore- An animal that feeds on flesh.
Translucent- Clear
Hibernation- The resting state in which some animals pass the winter.
Translucent- Clear
Hibernation- The resting state in which some animals pass the winter.
fun facts
- Polar bears are the largest land carnivore.
- Polar bears have a thick fur coat that appears white in coloration, but is really translucent.
- Polar bears are strong swimmers.
- Only female polar bears, especially pregnant females, enter into a state of carnivore lethargy or "hibernation".
- Female polar bears give birth while hibernating.
RESOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bear
http://digimorph.org/specimens/Ursus_maritimus/male/
http://digimorph.org/specimens/Ursus_maritimus/male/