Polar+Bear


 * __Polar Bears__**

__Common name:__ Polar bear(s) __Scientific Name:__ Ursus Maritimus

__Type:__ (Vertebrate) This animal is a mammal. Also known for as a marine mammal.

__Habitat:__ Polar bears live in sea ice, or an icy place that melts for part of the year.

__Range:__ There are 5 nations; Denmark (Greenland), Norway (Savlbard), Russia USA (Alaska), and Canada.

__Physical Characteristics:__ A polar bear has a long body, neck, and head; short, furry ears; and sharp teeth. Some weigh more then 1K pounds. (1000=1K) They also have dense, white fur. Their fur has layers of fat to protect them from the bitter cold. It also serves as camouflage when in hunting season. Polar bears live rarely 25 years. Wild polar bears live up to 33 years.

__Diet:__ Polar bears feed mainly on Seals. They also eat sea birds, lemmings, fish, berries, and grasses

__Behavior and Adaptations:__ Polar bears have a polygynous mating system [but partners stay together and mate repeatedly for a week].

__Reproduction:__ Pregnant polar bears occupy a den from October to April. She often digs the den in a deep snow bank on the side of a hill or valley. Usually gives birth to twin cubs.

__Relationship to people:__ Hunters have killed many polar bears for the valuable and attractive pelts. People threaten the survival of polar bears. (Polar bears __rarely__ kill people.)

__Status:__ Polar bears are threatened, due to hunters killing polar bears for their pelts.

__History:__ Polar bears are closely related to Brown bears, They can cross-breed and produce fertile offspring. Brown bears migrated around 100,000 years ago.

__Sources:__
 * 1) Wikipedia Online
 * 2) World Book 2001 (P)

__**OTHER:**__ __Bear Coat By: Leland B. Jacobs__

The polar bear, the polar bear, He has a handsome coat to wear.

But while its thick and warm and white, He has to wear it day and night.

And when the summer comes, poor brute, He wears it for his swimming suit.

Although his coat is thought so fine, I'm very glad that it's not mine.