polar bear adaptations for kids

Polar bears have a variety of adaptations that allow them to survive in their Arctic homes. A threat to polar bears and the sea ice they depend on. Their bodies thrive in the stark temperatures. A polar bear is a flesh-eating mammal that gobbles foliage along with other meat like whales and seals. Also since the crust below this covering is dark so it also helps in absorbing heat from sunlight. Ask your kids how they think polar bears stay warm when they are swimming around … Adult females are smaller, normally weighing 150 to 295 kilograms (330 to 650 pounds). POLAR BEAR BLUBBER EXPERIMENT. Number of Claws; How to Draw a Polar Bear for Kids – Super Simple Steps, Images, Videos; Is a Polar Bear Bigger than a Grizzly Bear? They use their large claws and teeth to tear apart their prey. Besides polar bears also have dense and curled claws that allow them to walk easily without getting slip or slide into the snow. In the U.S., polar bears are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Is climate change affecting their population? – Polar Bear Grizzly Bear; How often Do Polar Bears … That's why they typically walk at a leisurely pace. As a result, the skin of an animal dispels more heat. As polar bear pops up from water, he tends to turn over his body on the snow and their fur manages to get dry as a bone by means of oil which is present inside their fur. Polar bears live in one of the planet's coldest environments and depend on a thick coat of insulated fur, which covers a warming layer of fat. Hence, one of the useful adaptations of a polar bear. At the 2014 meeting of the PBSG, the world's leading polar bear scientists reported that of the 19 subpopulations of polar bears, three were declining, six were stable, and one was increasing. For questions concerning individual giving and corporate sponsorships, please contact us at They are very good swimmers and divers, which helps them swim … 4. Hence such diet is indispensable for the existence of polar bear and without which they would not last for too long in these frozen temperatures. Interestingly, this fur, which is actually transparent and not white, is one of the most amazing physical adaptation in this species, as it provides a natural camouflage for the animal in snow clad surroundings.
As a result, the heat does not escape from the body of a polar bear and keeps it warm. Every year, polar bear changes the shade of their fleece as it appears snowy in winter and creamy shade in fall. These paws work like snowshoes on heavy snow, balance the weight of the animal thereby enabling polar bears to navigate easily even on wafer-thin ice layer. Polar bears have more problems with overheating than they do with cold. Scientists predict that as the Arctic continues to warm, two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear within this century. One of the polar bear's adaptations is the very large size of its feet, useful for walking across snow and for swimming. How do polar bears survive their Arctic habitat? Thus, one of the great adaptations of a polar bear is it’s paws. The latest IUCN report estimates there are approximately 26,000 of them. Watch polar bears as they travel across the sea ice to hunt seals. Those heights are typically 1-1.5 meters (3.3-5 feet) for adult polar bears. Long swims are especially dangerous to young cubs. Where do Polar Bears Live? So when cubs slurp this milk, it gives them extra strength by maintaining the temperature inside their body and also helps in their growth. Explain the term adaptation. Have thick, sand paper like paws which helps them run on the slippery ice. Scientists can only provide informed estimates. For general questions regarding Polar Bears International and our work, please contact us at If the sea-ice isn’t forming, they can’t hunt on it. They can quickly overheat when they run. Though this layer normally protects a polar bear yet it also keeps them warm and cozy in frozen conditions. Research also shows that hope remains if action is taken to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions soon. As humans, we need protective clothing and/or shelter to stay warm. Canada considers polar bears a species of special concern under the National Species at Risk Act. If a polar bear was adapted to live in a desert: What colour would the polar bear be so it was camouflage? The North Pole is always frozen with ice. Sometimes they cover their muzzles—which radiate heat—with their thickly furred paws and let the snow drift around and over them. They also have a powerful smelling sense and a good vision with the help of which they catch their prey. They lacked sufficient data on the status of the remaining nine. This is a good thing as there are no trees or rocks to hide behind in their habitat. These animals take high-fat diet that help giving them extra strength in chilly weather. The parts of the world where a polar climate exists include Canada, Siberia, and Antarctica. Scientists believe polar bears are unlikely to survive if ice-free periods exceed their fasting ability (220 days), especially in areas that lack alternate marine mammal prey. The polar bear's life cycle is closely tied to sea ice. Very big! Finally, there is a dense fleece over these paws that not only keep them warm under shivering cold but also provide enough adhesive friction while sprinting on gleaming surface. The underlying principle is that as long as water stays, it will try to absorb the heat of a body and so animal will start feeling cold. To learn more about how polar bear’s bodies adjust to their climate, see physical characteristics. Polar bears don’t. Scientifically speaking, such animals possess a high ratio of volume to surface area due to which their skin smoke out minimum amount of heat from their body, according to Dr. Andrew Derocher. With a 4-inch dense coating of fat spread out over the body under the polar bear skin, the unpleasantly cold weather cannot make a way into the polar bear. During the short polar summer, plants use the long hours of sunlight to quickly develop and … Walruses and humpback whales live in the Arctic ocean. This provides enough insulation that their body temperature and metabolic rate doesn’t change, even when temperatures reach -37 C 
(-34 F). Nanuq has been integral to indigenous Arctic culture. Even though the Polar Bear does fit into the category of being a bear, there is scientific evidence to show it has evolved into a definite species of its own. Polar bears are adapted to suit a cold environment. Polar bears … Structural adaptations also include adaptations as to how a … B-roll, captioned photos, or further information, please These paws are extremely helpful while strolling because they have special footpads insulated by little smooth lumps known as papillae. Blending in is the only way to hide. Polar bears rely on the ice to travel, hunt seals, breed, and in some cases, den. Common animals that live here are polar bears, arctic foxes and arctic wolves, seals, and small rodents. When it comes to land-dwelling carnivores, polar bear is indeed the biggest animal and adaptations of a polar bear are really something exciting to know. media@pbears.org The pack ice is a large platform from which polar bears hunt for their main food, ringed seals. This polar bear skin color is one of the fine adaptations of a polar bear as he hides himself in the snow while stalking. The weather is extremely cold for most of the year. Raccoon Facts: Anatomy, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, First Horse Starter Kit – Equipment That You Need to Ride, Common Health Issues With Horses To Know The Signs Of, Saber Tooth Tiger Facts | Behavior, Habitat, Diet, Extinction, Species, 5 Things You Must do to Run a Successful Vet Clinic in Australia, Endangered Species in India | Top 6 Endangered Species. If they can’t hunt on the ice, they can’t hunt seals, which forces them to look for new food sources. If an animal has an external part that sticks out from the body of that animal, it may influence the volume to surface area ratio. Bears are insulated with two layers of fur and a thick layer of body fat. Arctic Adaptations. It’s a usual phenomenon that is readily found in animals living in icy environments and hence one of the usual adaptations of a polar bear. Polar bears have evolved adaptations for Arctic life. A polar bear's body temperature, 37 C (98.6 F), is average for mammals. If you ever happen to witness the paws of a polar bear, you will come to realize that their paws are huge. The body of a polar bear is insulated with a dense fur that extends out to the whole body apart for its nose. That means the smell of a town’s garbage dump is more … This is because there are so many differences from them and other forms of bears. A report on how polar bears, snow foxes and reindeer have adapted to live in cold environments. Physical Adaptations. Have students look at some photos of polar bears in the Arctic. Imagine packing for a trip to the Arctic Circle. Take a look at the lesson called Polar Bear Adaptations: Lesson for Kids if you would like to find out more. Polar bears often rest silently at a seal's breathing hole in the ice, waiting for a seal in the water to surface. Have excellent sense of smell and hearing which helps them catch their prey. e-mail us at What do you think about the adaptations of a polar bear? The fur of the polar bears is made of dense insulating underfur, … Quick Facts about the Polar Climate.

This lesson will teach you about the different kinds of adaptations polar bears have developed in order to survive in a cold, harsh Arctic environment. The polar bear's life cycle is closely tied to sea ice. . Many Arctic species can grow under a layer of snow, and virtually all polar plants are able to photosynthesize in extremely cold temperatures. We welcome all media inquiries. You would need a heavy jacket, warm socks, […] Would it still have thick fir? The hair of polar bear is just like a jacket which releases water as the animal finishes off swimming. As a... Tail And Ears. So let’s enjoy few of these exciting adaptations of a polar bear that are quite distinct in their appearances and design. For example, large furry feet and short, sharp, stocky claws give them good traction on ice. Northern communities are involved in conservation efforts. grizzly bears. These features enable them to sprint even on heavy snow and also allow him to halt at any moment. To start off this experiment, you need to ask your kids a few questions and get them thinking. They tend to do this by means of molting process and in this way allow themselves to stay chill even in hot conditions. Therefore hair works as one of the wonderful adaptations of a polar bear. The land is covered in thick sheets of ice. As a result, the heat does not escape from the body of a polar bear and keeps it warm. Even though polar bears live in hostile and frozen conditions, yet they are perfectly designed to survive in such temperatures. In the blazing sunlight of summer, such animals normally cast off their heavy coat which was previously used to protect them from chilly weather. So it’s one of the most important adaptations of a polar bear. This adaptive trait is a physical adaptation. Adaptation. Each of these countries either banned hunting or established rules for how many polar bears could be hunted within its own boundaries. The depth of this research continues because of the … Polar Bear Adaptations: Low surface area to volume ratio (anatomical) - Compared to other species of bears, polar bears have small extremities, proportionally shorter legs and a stockier build. On bitterly cold days with fierce winds, polar bears dig shelter pits in snow banks and curl up in a tight ball. Polar bears often have to go swimming in icy waters as they manage to do it by means of their beautiful toes having special swimming membranes. The only bear that grows to larger sizes is the kodiak bear, a subspecies of the brown bear. A mother polar bear oozes high-fat milk from her mammary glands that contains 31% fat in it. b) White Fur. Polar bears have black skin and although their fur appears white, it is actually … This reduces the surface area to lose heat from. In chilly conditions of winter, the fleece of polar bear works like a stove as it takes hot air direct from sunlight and keeps him warm. You will find some polar bear facts below to help with your questions or to explain your results! However, some of the most important adaptations polar bears have are those that help them to swim. Polar Bear and Arctic Preschool and Kindergarten Activities, Crafts, Games, and Printables. Share your thoughts in the comments below. Polar bears are marine animals. Plants have also adapted to the long winters and short, intense polar summers. 2. Consequently, it enables the animal to conserve heat inside its body. Largest Polar Bear on Record –Biggest Polar Bear Ever; Polar Bear vs Tiger – Siberian Tiger vs Polar Bear; How Many Claws Does a Polar Bear have? Polar bears are found in the frozen wilds of the Arctic, in Canada, Alaska (US), … Top 7 Adaptations Of A Polar Bear Massive Size. Structural adaptations of a polar help her to adapt with different environmental stressors such as the bear white fur which camouflages her in the snow. fundraising@pbears.org Arctic weather can be fiercely cold. Polar bears are classified as Vulnerable. Scientists usually refer to how tall bears are by measuring them at the shoulder when on all fours. By far, the most prominent feature of polar bear appearance happens to be its characteristic white fur. member of the media and seek to set up an interview or obtain Polar bears are listed under a variety of classifications depending on international, national, and regional regulations. Polar bears are native to the icy cold water of the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding areas. With a massive body structure, polar bears are larger than their counterparts i.e. When polar bears start consuming their food, their claws tend to help them and rip their victims open in a flash. But there’s a limit to how far they can swim. If an animal has an external part that sticks out from the body of that animal, it may influence the... Layer Of Fat. Since red meat contains even more calories as compare to undergrowth so it gives him great calories with every single bite of meal. Winter temperatures can plunge to -40° or -46 C (-50 F) and stay that way for days or weeks. Scientists believe polar bears are unlikely to survive if ice-free periods exceed their fasting ability (220 days), especially in areas that lack alternate marine mammal prey. Polar bears rely on the ice to travel, hunt seals, breed, and in some cases, den. In Russia, polar bears are classified as a Red Data Book species, a listing that includes animals considered rare or endangered. Internationally, they are listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. . An adult male may reach over three meters (10 feet) when standing on its hind legs. If you are a credentialed While rapid loss of sea ice is the primary threat to the polar bear’s long-term survival, other challenges include pollution, increased commercial use of the Arctic, overharvest, disease, and inadequate habitat protection (denning and seasonal resting areas). With a massive body structure, polar bears are larger than their counterparts i.e. Polar bears are listed under a variety of classifications depending on international, national, and regional regulations. Adaptations are body parts or behaviors that help a species survive in its habitat. Learn more: Why Do Polar Bears have Small Ears? The average January and February temperature is -34 C (-29 F). In Russia, polar bears are classified as a Red Data Book species, a listing that includes animals considered rare or endangered. Besides, this fleece also tends to mirror light and appearing even whiter thereby disguising him perfectly under the snow. As compare to their counterparts, polar bear’s milk contains a lot of useful protein and fat which keeps their cubs safe from cold weather. To cope with the cold temperatures of their habitat, polar bears are covered in long… The fleece along with thick hair keeps them warm even while passing through chilly waters. Sadly the polar bear is classified as a … Polar Bear Evolution and Adaptation. Adult males normally weigh 350 to more than 600 kilograms (775 to more than 1,300 pounds). The destruction of its habitat on the Arctic ice through global warming threatens the bear's survival.
Consequently, it enables the animal to conserve heat inside its body. Their white fur helps them hide in plain sight. In the High Arctic, the sun sets in October and doesn't rise again until late February. . They adapt themselves in order to adjust the temperature inside their bodies, stalk their prey easily and can also maneuver on a thick layer of snow. In all cases, the primary conservation concern for polar bears is habitat loss and reduced access to their seal prey due to climate change. This lesson will teach you about the different kinds of adaptations polar bears have developed in order to survive in a cold, harsh Arctic environment. Researchers in Canada estimated one male bear at 800 kilograms (1,700 pounds)! Polar bears live in a very cold habitat. That’s why as polar bears rise from water, they try to dry out themselves as quickly as possible. In this way, such animals are able to keep themselves warm and their body does not become wet for too long. Polar bears primarily eat seals. The polar bear has many adaptations for its life on the polar ice pack. On a regional level in Canada, polar bears are listed as threatened in both Manitoba and Ontario under provincial endangered species legislation. info@pbears.org The subfamily Ursinae originated approximately 4.2 million years ago. However in case of polar bear, the polar bear tail and ears are quite small thereby allowing relatively minimum surface area as compare to the bigger ears. The bear family, Ursidae, is thought to have split from other carnivorans about 38 million years ago. The polar bear is the largest predator that lives on land. They can be found in the Artic, the U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Denmark (Greenland), and Norway. Ask them to describe the environment where the polar bear lives and to identify some of the bear’s physical features. Internationally, they are listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. Polar bears and arctic foxes are adapted to the extreme weather of the Arctic region. Human-polar bear interactions are expected to rise as ice melts. The polar bear or the sea/ice bear are the world's largest land predators. The ice is thinning, and is in place for a shorter time so that polar bears have a shorter … Adult male polar bears reach weights over 1500 pounds (700 kg). Unlike other bears, polar bears possess even more compact and thick fleece. grizzly bears. Polar Bear is an amazing animal living against the extremes of the weather. While many of their adaptations help them to hunt more effectively, other adaptations allow the bears to survive in the frigid temperatures. 3. Polar bears are strong swimmers and divers, a characteristic that allows them to swim from one ice floe to the next. Polar bears are moving further south into communities because they’re adopting new hunting practices. , one of the world 's polar bears possess even more calories compare! 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That hope remains if action is taken to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions soon sadly the polar bear as hides. Its own boundaries are larger than their counterparts i.e and regional regulations cover their radiate... Themselves warm and cozy in frozen conditions, yet they are listed under a layer body... Smooth lumps known polar bear adaptations for kids papillae are strong swimmers and divers, a that! Games, and in this way allow themselves to stay warm even more compact and thick.!

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