Complete Polar Bear Facts

Quick Polar Bear Facts

Name:	Polar Bear Ursus maritimus=sea bear, nanook (Inuit), Wapusk (Cree), Lords of the Arctic. Males are Boars and females are Sows. A group of polar bears is called a "Celebration of Polar Bears".
Population:	Researchers think there are about 30,000 polar bears in the world.
Where do they live?	The polar bear is found in Russia, Norway, Greenland, the United States and Canada.
Physical Characteristics	Height:	On all fours - about 1m (3 1/2' at the shoulder). On hind legs - to 3m (10')
		Sows are usually smaller than boars.
	Weight:	Adult sows can weigh about 300kg (660lbs). Adult boars are about 550kg (1200 lbs.)
	Age:	Known to live 20-30 years. Few wild polar bears make it past 20 years.
		Oldest captive polar bear: 41 years. Oldest wild polar bear: 32 years.
	Paws:	Up to 30cm (12") across or more.
	Neck & Head:	Their long necks allow the bears to look around and get a good view when swimming.
	Teeth:	42 sharp teeth, which grow a little each year.
	Tail:	Polar bears have very small tails that are only about 10cm (4") long.

Abilities	Running:	Up to 40km/h (25 mph) for short distances.
	Swimming:	Up to 10km/h (6mph) and for great distances, 96km (60 miles)!
	Diving:	Polar bears can dive about 4.5m (15') underwater.
	Smell:	A bear can detect a seal buried 3' deep in snow 1km away (almost a mile)!
	Sight:	Good eyesight with excellent depth perception.
	Hearing:	They can hear the same range of sounds that people can.

Staying Warm	Fur:	A polar bear's coat is about 2.5 to 5 cm (1-2") thick.
		Close to their body polar bears have a thick layer of woolly fur to keep them warm.
	Fat:	A thick layer of fatty-blubber helps insulate the bear and keep him/her warm.
	Skin:	The skin is black under all that white fur.

Food & Hunting	Food:	Seals, Beluga Whales, Walruses and sometimes a bit of seaweed. Not Fish!
	Hunting:	When a seal comes to the surface, the bear uses its claws and teeth to catch it.