Polar Bear International Day is a time where we can all learn about this magnificent animal and how to help them survive in the wild. I have put some fun facts together to teach you a little bit about polar bears and how climate change is drastically melting the sea ice needed for them to survive. Just sit back, kick up your feet, and enjoy some exciting polar bear talk and photos. You will be glad you did.
Polar Bears have very large bodies, with a small head and long neck. This is so they can put their head into a seal hole to catch them. They also have a long snout and a super sense of smell. Their powerful strength helps them move the seals onto the ice.
In the wild, Polar bears eat mostly ringed seal, sea birds, fish, grasses, berries, and other marine mammals like walrus, and whales if they are lucky to get one. Some may wash up to shore which makes it easier for a polar bear to eat the meat from the animal.
Polar bears have black skin under their very thick insulated fur. The fur is not really white, it just looks that way. Each hair shaft is transparent with a hollow core. It reflects light making the fur appear white. Sometimes polar bears may look yellow or green when dirty, or algae gets into the hair shafts.
Polar bears can stay under water for up to 2 minutes.
Height: A polar bear can be 10 feet tall if it stands on it's hind legs. Notice the size of the people compared to this male polar bear as he stands up against the glass.
A polar bear cub weighs only about a pound when it is born. The mother will make a den and nurse the cub until about April when she comes out to hunt for food. The mother is usually quite dirty when she comes out and rolls in the snow to get clean.
The cubs will play and learn how to walk in the snow. The mother will nurse and protect her cubs for about two and a half years. The cubs reach sexual maturity about the age of five years old after which they go on their own.
Top photo- Arki and baby Hudson, bottom, Baby Hudson playing with ice.
Fun facts about Polar Bears:
Polar bears can stay under water for up to 2 minutes.
Polar bears have better vision than most other bears
Polar bears have a extra eyelid to filter out glare from the snow
Polar bears have hair inside their ears to protect them from freezing
So Why Do People Love Polar Bears So Much?
Is it the big cuddly look, the white appearance, the playfulness? For me, it's a combination of all. Polar bears have been my favorite animal long before the wolf, and you all know how much I love wolves. Sadly though, polar bears are going through a tough time in the wild. With climate change, their habitat is suffering greatly with the melting of sea ice.
So what's the big deal about sea ice you ask? Polar bears depend on sea ice to travel long distances to get to their main food source which is ringed seal. Without the sea ice, they have to swim longer distances, and may drown without finding ice to rest upon, or hunt for their food.
There are many things we as individuals can do to help polar bears but here are things you can do that will have the most impact as compiled by PBI Scientist.
Social Interactions
Vote for political representatives who recognize that our carbon-based society isn't sustainable and who will work to establish an appropriate price for carbon; share information on these candidates with others
Interpret the facts about climate change to your friends and relatives
Encourage members of your social circles to adopt sustainable lifestyles—and lead by example
To help create a stewardship ethic in your community and raise awareness of how lifestyle changes can make a difference, take part in local green initiatives like planting trees, recycling drives, or bike to work days—or start your own.
Transportation
Walk or ride a bike
Use public transportation
Drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle for your needed task and drive at the most efficient speed for your vehicle
Avoid drive-through businesses; don't idle for more than 10 seconds
Keep your car tuned up and maintain proper tire inflation
Support community bike lanes, no idling efforts, and mass transit options
Home & Work
Insulate buildings and heat/cool with efficient systems (e.g., rated by Energy Star)
Generate your own power with wind or solar
Let your utility company know that you want to subscribe to green power
Use energy-efficient (e.g. Energy Star) appliances and equipment. Turn appliances off when not in use. Use low-tech methods when possible (e.g., line-dry clothes)
Replace light bulbs with LED bulbs (see Energy Star)
Use no more water than needed
Dining Table
Buy and cook only what you'll eat. Don't waste food.
Consume foods that are minimally processed and packaged (e.g., potatoes vs. potato chips)
Purchase fruits and vegetables grown locally and organically on small-scale farms
Avoid products that result from tropical deforestation (e.g., palm oil, coffee that isn't shade-grown, South American beef)
Consume less meat. Eat at least three meatless meals per week.
Consume products like pasture-fed beef, free-range poultry, and wild salmon rather than CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operations) meats—and buy these from local farmers or fishermen when you can
Marketplace
Minimize consumption: reduce, reuse, and recycle
Research vendors and buy from those with sustainable business models
Avoid products with excess packaging
Buy products created closer to home: for example, if you live in the U.S. or Canada, purchase goods made in North America instead of those shipped from far away.