Bears: Information On Polar Bears
admin
Thanks to a fairly recent emphasis on the study of arctic climate change, there is considerably more information on Polar Bears now available. The Polar Bear is uniquely adapted to the harsh conditions of the Arctic, and therefore particularly vulnerable to long term warming trends. Some scientists have cited the Polar Bear as a bellwether for the plight of large mammals in changing ecosystems.
Increases in Information on Polar Bears
It is now known that there are only two groupings of Polar Bears currently residing in the Arctic. Both groups consist of individual adults that travel in huge circles that begin on the northern coast of Alaska, and meander out onto flowing chunks of pack ice. New information on Polar Bears has come by way of radio tracking collars, which reveal that the adult Polar Bear treks an average of 15 miles a day in search of food, and will range an average of 5,500 miles per year.
Biologists gathering information on Polar Bears have discovered a host of unique adaptations that Polar Bears have developed to survive in the Arctic. Polar Bear fur, for example, is made up of thin hollow tubes which act like a fiber optic wire, funneling precious sunlight directly to the surface of the Bears skin. Polar Bears have also developed webbed paws allowing them to achieve remarkable proficiency in open ocean. Polar Bears have been known to swim up to 100 miles from the nearest land form or pack ice.
However, the Polar region is a particularly fragile one, where even miniscule climactic fluctuations can have an enormous effect on the surrounding ecosystems. For example, were mean ocean temperatures to continue to rise, the formation of seasonal pack ice would greatly decrease or even cease entirely, denying Polar Bears access to their native hunting grounds. Greatly dependent on these temporary floating islands, the Polar Bear population would thus be relegated to an ever diminishing habitat.
Related Content
Information On Polar Bears
Thanks to a fairly recent emphasis on the study of arctic climate change, there is considerably more information on Polar Bears now available. The Polar Bear is uniquely adapted to the harsh conditions of the Arctic, and therefore particularly vulnerable...
Polar Bear Facts
The increased study of Arctic ecosystems has resulted in an abundance of new Polar Bear facts. It is possible that this is a result of curiosity regarding the effect of climate change on large mammals such as the Polar Bear. As a result, scientists of...
Alaska Polar Bears
Alaska Polar Bears are the largest of the eight bear species, and often considered the largest four legged carnivores in the world. These enormous marine mammals inhabit the polar regions of upper Alaska, and their partially webbed paws allow them to...
Polar Bear Pictures
Viewing Polar Bear pictures is an excellent way to delve into the habitat and living conditions experienced by Polar Bears. While few people will actually make a trip up to the Arctic Circle, it is clear that the world Polar Bears inhabit is one of stark...
Polar Bear Habitats
Polar Bear habitats consist of Arctic regions along the northern coast of Alaska. Polar bears have made a number of remarkable adaptations in order to survive in such exceedingly difficult conditions. It is widely feared the trends in global climate...
Bear Anatomy
Much has been written about bear anatomy, which for a long time relied on anecdotal evidence to supply information on size, habitat and other characteristics. Through increased wildlife management, radio tracking, and other forms of scientific...
Bear Hunting Guides In Alaska
One of the things that hunters like most about Alaska is that all three species of North American bears can be found there. Alaska is certainly bear country with brown/grizzly bears to be found from the islands of southeastern Alaska to the arctic, black...
Bear Facts
Ever since I was a young child hiking in the wooded mountains of Montana's Glacier National Park, I've been curious about bears and have sought out bear facts wherever I could find them. As I was to discover, finding actual bears is a good deal more...
Alaska Bears
The vast unspoiled landscape of Alaska is a paradise for Alaska bears. Alaska is the only state that is home to all three species of North American Bears: Black Bears, Brown or Grizzly Bears, and mighty Polar Bears. From the verdant forests that line the...
Baby Polar Bears
Baby Polar Bears are normally born in December or January while their mother is in hibernation. There are typically one to four cubs in a litter, although the average number of cubs is two per litter. Sadly, six of ten baby Polar Bears never make it past...
Posted on: Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:29 pm 
Bears, Pets & Animals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
