Class
Mammals
Range
Polar bears are found across northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland and even Russia.
Habitat
Polar bears live on the freezing polar ice pack.
Body Traits
They have thick fur. They have more than 4 inches of fat called “blubber.” This protects them from the extreme cold. Males weigh from 700 - 1,500 pounds, while females are only 300 - 600 pounds.
Habits
They will attack and eat humans.
Diet
They eat mostly seals, making them the only pure meat eater (carnivore) of all the bears in North America.
Predators
The only predator that kills polar bears is man, though one polar bear may kill another.
Reproduction
Females have 2 cubs in their winter den. Polar bear cubs nurse on milk for more than a year and a half. This helps them survive the cold. More than half of all cubs die in their first year.
Lifespan and/or Conservation Status
If they get past the first year, they can live up to 25 years in the wild. They are listed as a "vulnerable" species.
Full Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Ursidae
Genus: Ursus
Species: Ursus maritimus
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All text on Exploring Nature was written by author, Sheri Amsel
Here is an example of citing this page:
Amsel, Sheri. “Mammalia.” Bear (Polar). Exploring Nature Educational Resource. © 2005 - 2010. September 9, 2010. <http://exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=43&detID=938>
- Coloring Page
- Labeling Page
- Download Hi-Res B&W Diagram
- Download Hi-Res Color Diagram
- Download Hi-Res In-Habitat Poster
