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| 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 ]. | ||
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| Polar bear ''Ursus maritimus'' | Polar bear ''Ursus maritimus'' | ||
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| 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 10:19, 7 February 2002
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.
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.