ORDER CARNIVORA Polar Bears Pop 22,000-27,000 Arctic; winter temps to -50 F
Live on/near floating ice packs
Eat ringed & bearded seals (often pups), walruses, belugas A polar bear with a fresh seal kill, probably a bearded seal. Note the gull nearby, it is an ivory gull - one of the few true Arctic birds. It never gets below about 70 degrees north latitude in its entire life.
Bearded Seal Ringed Seal
Well adapted to life on the ice: Large paws w/bristles for traction, claws
Good swimmers; paddle w/forelimbs
Streamlined, small head for heat conservation
2 layers of dense fur; colorless, refracts light so it looks white Blubber 10 cm thick
Males to 8-10 feet; 550 – 1700 lbs Females 6-8 ft; 200 – 700 lbs Lifespan 15 – 18 yrs