| Revision as of 15:48, 20 October 2001 view sourceClasqm (talk | contribs)968 editsNo edit summary | Revision as of 19:01, 20 October 2001 view source Sjc (talk | contribs)8,581 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| The <b>polar bear</b> (''Thalarctos maritimus'' or ''Ursus maritimus'') is a large ] of the order ], family ]. It is a circumpolar species found in and around the ]. | The <b>polar bear</b> (''Thalarctos maritimus'' or ''Ursus maritimus'') is a large ] of the order ], family ]. It is a circumpolar species found in and around the ]. | ||
| http://www.wikipedia.com/images/uploads/polar-bear-thumbnail.jpg | http://www.wikipedia.com/images/uploads/polar-bear-thumbnail.jpg | ||
| Polar bear ''Ursus maritimus'' | Polar bear ''Ursus maritimus'' | ||
| (''Public domain picture from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service'' | (''Public domain picture from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service'' | ||
| ) | ) | ||
| The polar bear is instantly recognisable by its white coat. Unlike other arctic mammals it never sheds this coat for a darker colour in summer. Their hair is unpigmented and hollow, the trapped air providing excellent insulation, and the almost transparent hair transports solar energy to the animal's black skin; they overheat at temperatures above 50 degrees F. | The polar bear is instantly recognisable by its white coat. Unlike other arctic mammals it never sheds this coat for a darker colour in summer. Their hair is unpigmented and hollow, the trapped air providing excellent insulation, and the almost transparent hair transports solar energy to the animal's black skin; they overheat at temperatures above 50 degrees F. | ||
| ⚫ | It is the most completely carnivorous member of the ] family and feeds mainly on ]s. Polar bears are superb swimmers and can often be seen in open water miles from land. They also hunt very efficiently on land due to their prodigious speed; they are more than capable of outrunning a man. | ||
| ⚫ | It is the most completely carnivorous member of the ] family and feeds mainly on ]s. Polar bears are superb swimmers and can often be seen in open water miles from land. | ||
| Polar bears are currently threatened, not mainly by hunting, but by habitat loss caused by ]; for example, the area of ice covering ] in Northern Canada in winter is shrinking, limiting their access to seal prey. | Polar bears are currently threatened, not mainly by hunting, but by habitat loss caused by ]; for example, the area of ice covering ] in Northern Canada in winter is shrinking, limiting their access to seal prey. | ||
Revision as of 19:01, 20 October 2001
The polar bear (Thalarctos maritimus or Ursus maritimus) is a large mammal of the order Carnivora, family Ursidae. It is a circumpolar species found in and around the Arctic Ocean.
http://www.wikipedia.com/images/uploads/polar-bear-thumbnail.jpg
Polar bear Ursus maritimus
(Public domain picture from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service full size image)
The polar bear is instantly recognisable by its white coat. Unlike other arctic mammals it never sheds this coat for a darker colour in summer. Their hair is unpigmented and hollow, the trapped air providing excellent insulation, and the almost transparent hair transports solar energy to the animal's black skin; they overheat at temperatures above 50 degrees F.
It is the most completely carnivorous member of the bear family and feeds mainly on seals. Polar bears are superb swimmers and can often be seen in open water miles from land. They also hunt very efficiently on land due to their prodigious speed; they are more than capable of outrunning a man.
Polar bears are currently threatened, not mainly by hunting, but by habitat loss caused by global warming; for example, the area of ice covering Hudson Bay in Northern Canada in winter is shrinking, limiting their access to seal prey.