Polar bear
Ursus maritimus
The polar bear has unwittingly become the symbol for climate change. Sea ice is a great hunting ground and as it recedes, the polar bear’s hunting season for its favourite prey, the ringed seal, keeps getting shorter.
Reproduction
From the age of 4 to 5 years old, the female mates between late February and early June every 2 to 4 years. The embryo develops after a delayed implantation during the last 10 weeks of a 6 ½ to 9 month gestation period. On average 2 cubs are born in a lair between late November and January. They are weaned about 1 ½ years later.
Alimentation
Carnivorous, feeding mainly on seals but also eating fish, small mammals, birds, invertebrates, eggs, animal carcasses, berries and seaweed.
Prédateurs
Man and other polar bear that can attack cubs.
Longévité
Up to 20 years in the wild. About 35 years in captivity.
Toundra arctique
