The Polar Bear Essay, Research Paper
INTRODUCTION
Ursus maritimus, commonly known as the polar bear, is quite an amazing animal. The polar bear is of the order Carnivora and of the family Ursidae. Polar bears live in the extremely cold regions of the Arctic and in Tundra. They range from Alaska to Siberia, and have been found as far as 720 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The polar bear is quite huge. They can be as tall as 8.25 feet when on all four feet, or 12 feet when standing on their hind legs and weighs up to 1,764 pounds. The polar bear is carnivorous and can be very ferocious when necessary, but is about the most gentle bear of all. Living in such a harsh climate and being strictly a meat-eater has molded the polar bear into an incredible mammal with many special features.
MOVEMENT
Since polar bears are carnivores and there isn t a lot of food in the Arctic, they must be able to travel a great distance at a good speed. Looking at a polar bear you will probably notice that it is bowlegged. This means that their huge paws point inward. Having their paws in this position helps them grip the slippery ice. Another specialized feature of its paws is that they have pads of dense fur on the bottoms. Polar bears are the only bears that have this feature. These pads help the bear retain heat and to grip the ice and provide better traction. Polar bears are fast movers. When on uneven ice the bear will trot , moving its legs on opposite sides in unison. It can trot at 12 to 18 miles per hour. When it is running, it can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. The bear can travel around 50 miles on an average day.
The polar bear is also an expert swimmer. The bear has a long neck with a small head which help it to be more streamlined when it is in the water. It also has partially webbed feet which help it to paddle through the frozen waters. When swimming, the polar bear propels itself with its front paws and steers with its hind paws. While it is in the water the polar bear keeps its eyes open, its ears flattened to the side of its head, and its nostrils shut off. When the bear is in water it can swim at around 3 to 6 miles per hour and can travel up to 100 miles nonstop as long as it surfaces for air every couple of minutes.
FEEDING
Polar bears need large amounts of food. Fully grown polar bears can hold up to 200 pounds of food in their stomach. Polar bears eat a wide range of food. They will eat fish, walruses, dead sea animals that get washed ashore, seals, and it has even been reported that the polar bear has killed the beluga (white whale) from time to time. It has also been reported that polar bears have killed humans, but this was not for food, just self defense. The polar bear s favorite food is the ringed seal.
To get this food, the polar bear obviously must be a great hunter. Since polar bears largest percent of eating is of the seal, it would be most important to discuss how the bear hunts for seal. Polar bears are intelligent hunters and know where the seals are just by looking at the areas of ice. A polar bear can even smell a baby seal through 6 feet of snow and can pick up the scent of seal breath from a great distance. Normally, the polar bear has two types of hunting areas, above ground and underwater. Above ground, it will look for a seals breathing hole in the ice. Once it finds the hole it will just wait like a statue until the seal comes to get air. When the seal comes for air, the polar bear grabs the seal by its neck. Then it yanks it through the ice. Normally this will break most of the bones in the seals body. When the polar bear is going to hunt underwater, it will lower itself in without even making the water ripple. Then it glides through the water slowly advancing on its prey until the final lethal rush. Sometimes when a polar bear is on the edge of the water waiting to jump in and attack its prey, it will hold its nose so the seals will not see its familiar black nose.
Once the polar bear has caught its seal, it will usually eat just the skin and blubber. The bear will eat very quickly, eating large chunks and not even chewing for about half an hour. It does this so no other animals will come and steal the food from it while it is eating. After it is done, the bear will climb in the water and wash its face and paws. It may do this for up to 15 minutes.
Polar bears, like any other animal, need a good supply of fresh water in their diet. Since there is mostly ocean in the Arctic, the polar bear has to get its water elsewhere. It looks for old ice. It knows that in these areas of old ice, the salt has settled down through the ice blocks and left behind puddles of fresh water.
RESPONSE
Living in such harsh climates as the Arctic, a polar bear has to have great senses and other adaptations in order to survive. It has one of the best senses of smell of all animals. It can smell a kill from several miles off and as previously noted, seal breath from a great distance. They first pick up a scent in the driving air, then follow it like a single beam back to its source. The beam is probably rather narrow, and to keep it in focus, the great bears occasionally stand upright and sniff, moving their head from side to side. It also has excellent vision. It can tell what is going on around it just by a quick glance and often will see its prey long before its prey sees it.
The polar bear also has extremely thick fur. The fur is hollow, providing insulation. This is what makes the polar bear waterproof. If they were not waterproof, they would just turn into a block of ice when they jumped into the frigid water to catch their prey. It also keeps them nice and warm in the winter. In the summer, however, they get extremely hot. To cool down, they roll over on to their sides and stick their paws out. This activity sends the heat out through their pads, lowering their body temperature.
Below all the fur, there is a 4 to 5 inch thick layer of fat (blubber). This blubber also serves to keep the bears warm. Occasionally, however, it gets too cold and the bear has to resort to other means of keeping warm. The bear will actually plow itself into a snowdrift and stick its rear end up to block the wind while its front end is under the snow.
On the other hand when it gets too hot to stand, the polar bear will dig itself a cave into the permafrost. The bear will keep coming back to the cave year after year. Eventually the cave can become quite deep.
REPRODUCTION
With polar bears, mating usually takes place in April and May on the sea ice. When the female is in heat, she will start marking her trail with several urination s a day. The male polar bears can tell instantly the tracks of a female in heat. The male will follow the tracks for several days until he finds her.
When the male meets the female, there is usually another male that he must fight with for the right to mate. The winner then goes off with the female and they walk together for a couple weeks. The male polar bear will test the female constantly to see if she is ready. When she is, the two will mate several times over about a week.
After the female is pregnant she must gain a couple hundred pounds of fat to have a successful pregnancy. Also, she will build a maternity den where she is to have her cubs.
After she builds her den, it takes about one to two months before she gives birth. When cubs are born, they are very tiny and only weight around 1 pound. The cubs eyes stay closed for about 30 days and their canine teeth only become apparent after about 50 days. The cubs begin to walk after about 2 months. The mother nurses the cubs for a couple more months. The cubs will stay with their mother for a couple years before they leave.
Most polar bears don t reproduce until they are around the age of five. The female will probably lose her first litter. Most litters are usually twins, however, some may be as large as four.
CONCLUSION
By now you can see what amazing animals polar bears really are. Today, polar bears are endangered animals and may become extinct if poachers aren t stopped. However, an agreement between several countries was recently signed saying that people can t hunt them. This may help to protect them to some degree, but in the long run they will probably be killed off, except those maintained in zoos.
Другие работы по теме:
The Clan Of The Cave Bear Essay
, Research Paper The Clan of the Cave Bear starts out with a naked girl named Ayla swimming in a river. After that an earthquake occurs and she is surprised because she had never experienced one before. The earthquake kept on going, and she became even more frightened. She cried for her mother, but she was alone.
Black Bear Essay Research Paper Matt MeaneyPeriod
Black Bear Essay, Research Paper Matt Meaney Period 6 Extra Credit 4/2/00 The presentation given on the black bears on April Second was generally to me at least too appeared almost fake. I didn’t understand how he says they wouldn’t attack you, and it’s just a bluff charge, when just this year a woman in Boonton was attacked as well as her dog by a black bear.
How There Are Different Looking Animals In
This World(Myth) Essay, Research Paper In the beginning before the great storm, lived a follower of god named Noah. The Earth had only one continent with many beautiful animals. Noah the watcher of these creatures received a message from god. One night, Noah prayed to God for an answer of why the animals seemed uneasy lately and how to solve it, god then let him in on the secret of the great storm to come.
Properties Of Water Essay Research Paper What
Properties Of Water Essay, Research Paper What properties of water make it a unique material and an essential component of living matter? Water is so common that it is easy to overlook the fact that it is an exceptional substance with many amazing qualities. With its properties, we can trace water s unique behavior to the structure and interactions of its molecules.
Polar Bears Their Habiat Essay Research Paper
Polar Bear, common name for a white bear found on the sea ice of the Arctic throughout the North Polar basin. The only marine bear, it is longer than other bears and streamlined for aquatic life. It has the plantigrade feet (heel and sole touching the ground) typical of bears, with five sharp, curved claws on each foot for grasping the ice and holding its prey.
British Constitution Essay Research Paper Amendment IIRight
British Constitution Essay, Research Paper Amendment II [Right of people to bear arms not to be infringed.] A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Night By Elie Weisel Essay Research Paper
“Life is easier to take than you’d think; all that is necessary is to accept the impossible, do without the indispensable, and bear the intolerable.” This quote was said by Kathleen Norris. I think that I agree with the quote, and also that the quote was not being sarcastic.
Cayley
’s Sextic Essay, Research Paper The curve, Cayley?s Sextic can be described by the Cartesian equation: 4(x^2 + y^2 ? ax)^3 = 27a^2(x^2 + y^2)^2. It is the involute of a nephroiod curve because of its slight kidney shape and because they are parallel curves. This curve was first discovered by a mathematician by the name of Colin Maclaurin.
Kurds Essay Research Paper Even so 15
Kurds Essay, Research Paper Even so, 15 million individuals of Kurdish origin presently live in the Republic of Turkey. Kurds have for decades been subjected to economic disadvantages and human rights violations which bear the hallmarks of systematic persecution intent on destroying the Kurdish identity by silencing the Kurdish language and other cultural expressions through violence or censorship.
Bi Polar Disorders Essay Research Paper Bipolar
Bi Polar Disorders Essay, Research Paper Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder characterized by extreme mood swings. Which range between acute episodes of high anxiety (mania) to as low as severe depression. Formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder is marked by wild, cyclical mood swings. (Neenan) Cyclical means occurring in repeating episodes.
Sample Resume Essay Research Paper December 7
Sample Resume Essay, Research Paper December 7, 2000 Mr. Brian P. Coyle Bear Grossing Drive Orlando, FL 32476 Dear Mr. Coyle: You have the company’s deepest apology for the disaster and inconvenience that was placed upon you. Pictures are very important because they serve as memories that you can have for a lifetime.
Young Bear
’s Poem "Our Bird Aegis" With His Commentary Essay, Research Paper Our Bird Aegis An immature black eagle walks assuredly across a prairie meadow. He pauses in mid-step
Polar Bears Essay Research Paper Polar BearsSaving
Polar Bears Essay, Research Paper Polar Bears Saving the White Beast The Polar Bear males can measure up to nine feet long, and can weigh 770-1430 lbs. The fur of the Polar Bear covers their entire body except their nose and pads of their feet. The Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) is the largest living carnivore on the planet earth. (National Parks Service).
Analysis The Bear Momaday Essay
, Research Paper N. Scott Momaday s poem, “The Bear,” takes place in the wilderness at midday. The day is calm and sunny. The bear is quietly walking through the forest, not hurriedly or destructively. He blends in with his environment. The bear is very old. He has many scars, and a misshapen limb as a result of an old trap injury.
Gentle Ben Essay Research Paper A brown
Gentle Ben Essay, Research Paper A brown bear is the largest most dangerous big-game animal in North America. Even so ,Mark Anderson?s only friend is Ben, the
The Bear Essay Research Paper The Bear
The Bear Essay, Research Paper The Bear The wind wailed through the towering pines of Grand National Park. The sun illuminated the landscape. Those pines were more than five hundred years old. They stood unchanging like the forest itself. The animals lived in a flawless balance with nature. No humans had ruined this pristine wilderness for some time.
Ethnocentrism At The Top Of The World
Essay, Research Paper In Hans Ruesch’s novel The Top of the World the author describes the life of the polar Eskimos (Inuits) in depth. The main focus of the novel is to show the differences between their culture and ours, and how the introduction of the white mans customs changed their way of life. The concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism are major themes in The Top of the World.
Mars Polar Landing Essay Research Paper A
Mars Polar Landing Essay, Research Paper A momentous occasion has been bestowed upon us. The Mars Polar Lander will try to reach its destination of Mars? southern polar ice cap. The Lander was presumed to touch down on Friday December 3, 1999. It was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 17 on January 3, 1999 and hopefully it has finally reached the surfaces of Mars.
Satellites Essay Research Paper SatellitesA satellite is
Satellites Essay, Research Paper Satellites A satellite is any object that orbits or revolves around another object. For example, the Moon is a satellite of Earth, and Earth is a satellite of the Sun. The payload is all the equipment a satellite needs to do its job. This can include antennas, cameras, radar, and electronics.
The Problem Of Global Warming Essay Research
Paper The Problem of Global Warming The problem of global warming, an increase in the average temperature on Earth, is getting worse. The Earth has warmed 0.3 to 0.6 degrees Celsius since
Shakespear To Be Or Not To Be
Essay, Research Paper Shakespeare s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Act 3 Scene 1- To be, or not to be Should I kill my fathers murderer, or not? What should I do? Would it be better for me to deal with my misfortunes, or should I fight against my many troubles. By fighting I might die; I will sleep, I will be no more.
Polar Bear Report Essay Research Paper Polar
Polar Bear Report Essay, Research Paper Polar Bear (Thalarctos Maritimus) Conception After trailing behind the Female Polar Bear for about two months the male Polar Bear then mates with the female Bear. Females are induced ovulators, which means the act of mating causes a female to release an egg for fertilization (polar bears alive).
Polar Bear Essay Research Paper Polar Bear
Polar Bear Essay, Research Paper Polar Bear SPECIES- Ursus Maritimus, Polar Bear, lord of the Arctic. Lives in an area of five million square miles of snow and ice. From Siberia to Alaska and across Canada, Greenland and the Islands north of Norway, he is the master of all living things except man. It lives in the brutal cold, ice, and snow.
The Bear That Wasn
’t Essay, Research Paper . The bear in “The Bear That Wasn’t” began to have doubts that is was bear because everyone kept saying that he was just a man who needed a shave and wore a fur coat. In the beginning he did not have doubts about being a bear, but as more and more people(with higher statuses) started saying that he was not a bear but just a man who needed a shave and wore a fur coat. .
Brown Bear Essay Research Paper There are
Brown Bear Essay, Research Paper There are eight different species of bears found throughout the world: the spectacled bear, the Asiatic black bear, the brown bear (including
Big Red Essay Research Paper I read
Big Red Essay, Research Paper I read the book Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard. It is a realistic fiction about a boy named Danny who lives with his dad way out in the woods. He gets a champion Irish Setter named Big Red and calls him Red. They go hunting a lot and Danny really loves Red.Big Red would make a good movie because it’s really interesting and there’s lots of action that happens.
The Explication Of No One Essay Research
Paper The poem “The Monument,” by Elizabeth Bishop can be thematically deconstructed in many ways. At first glance, the poem is about a tangible and solid object. The speaker describes this object, a monument, very thoroughly. After further examination and explication it is evident that the poem is not about one object, but about many intangible things such as creativity, art, and intuition.
Naturalization Essay Research Paper Steps to Become
Naturalization Essay, Research Paper Steps to Become a Naturalized Citizen 1. Fill out application Form N-400, then take an interview. 2. Submit $25 dollars in addition to application fee, payable to the INS with your application.
Giant Panda Essay Research Paper What animal
Giant Panda Essay, Research Paper What animal is black and white and loved all over the world? If you guessed the giant panda, you’re right! The giant panda is also known as the panda bear, bamboo bear, or in Chinese as Daxiongmao, the “large bear cat.” Actually, its scientific name means “black and white cat-footed animal.” Giant pandas are found only in the mountains of central China.
Chemistry
– Bonding Essay, Research Paper Electron Pair Repulsion Theory: The electron pair repulsion theory states that the electron pairs in the valence energy level of an atom repel each other, and therefore are arranged as far apart as possible. For example, H2O: