Saturday 2 May 2009

The Bear Necessities Of Life

10 Facts about Polar Bears
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01 The polar bear is the largest land carnivore and has a reputation as the only animal that actually hunts humans.

02 They have a life span of up to 25 years.

03 They are the largest species of bear.

04 Polar bears have large, furry feet that act as snow shoes.

05 Their creamy-white fur is dense and water repellent, enabling them to shake dry after swimming.

06 Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic, south to Canada.

07 They are the most northerly distributed species of bear.

08 They spend most of their time on Arctic ice floes. When they are on the shore they remain near water.

09 They mainly feed on ringed seal, and less so on bearded seals. In addition, they eat beluga, narwhal, walrus, fish and seabirds. In summer they eat berries and other vegetation.

10 Polar bears mate between March and June and give birth to 1-3 cubs (very rarely four) from November to January.