Polar bears are large white bears found primarily in Arctic regions. They can grow up to 8-11 feet tall and weigh between 660-990 pounds. Polar bears primarily hunt seals and inhabit sea ice areas where seals can also be found. However, loss of sea ice habitat due to climate change has threatened polar bear populations, which are estimated at 20-25,000 worldwide.

1. The Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus) By: Lena Sequeira

2. Polar Bear Stats Polar Bears measure 5 feet to their shoulder They stand 8-11 feet tall Their foot average is 12 in. long and 10 in. wide Weight: Females average from 660 pounds to 770 pounds. Males average from 880 to 990 pounds. Polar Bears swim at about six miles per hour. Rarely live past 25 years. Normally white or off white. There are an estimated 20-25,000 worldwide

3. Habitat Their preferred habitat is the sea ice covering over the waters over the continental shelf. The polar bear tends to inhabit areas where sea ice meets water Polar bears are found primarily around the polar ice pack, not closer to the north pole.

4. Habitat Map

5. Food Source Mainly hunts seals, but will eat anything Feed in whale carcasses Hunts other mammals such as lemmings, arctic foxes, and eider ducks They also feed on vegetation, but it’s scarce

6. Human Interaction Polar bears can be destructive when people establish communities where they live. This is very rare, but it happens. Polar bears are losing their ice cap habitats because of global warming, which is caused by humans. People also hunt polar bears for their fur, but because their numbers have decreased dramatically officials have made it so you can only kill a polar bear if it’s a threat.

7. Random Facts There are often fights between multiple males over mating rights. Polar bears have a gestation of about four months. They breed everyday for about a week while the female is in heat. Aren’t territorial animals and often scare away in confrontations. Live solitary for the most part. Polar bears have different posture for different tasks/behaviors. Are excellent swimmers

8. Photo Credits Slide One: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Ursus_maritimus_us_fish.jpg/220px-Ursus_maritimus_us_fish.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Polar_bear_hg.jpg/220px-Polar_bear_hg.jpg Slide Two http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Ursus_maritimus_Polar_bear_with_cub_2.jpg/220px-Ursus_maritimus_Polar_bear_with_cub_2.jpg Slide Three: http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2009/04/PolarBearCV1LG.jpg http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSePyCYbnqTJPJn64h4pwejAUCcSdoEB5Npf4het1czn_5mz8AyVA&t=1 http://www.energyefficienthomes.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/polarbearenergyefficienthomes.jpg http://library.thinkquest.org/19689/media/maps/polar_bear.gif Slide Four http://library.thinkquest.org/19689/media/maps/polar_bear.gif Slide Five http://www.mycuteanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/snowylemming.jpg http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQVyPIQJD6IIA_5G-kY2Vp6t44ZbmpVw3X38C7ltDAD8RGkQUGn7Q&t=1 http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5442162036_37ded25190.jpg http://www.lisisoft.com/imglisi/5/Screensavers/149452ShowcaseScreenshot.jpg Slide Six http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Greenland-polarbear-skin_hg.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Polar-Bear-Warning-Longyearbyen.jpg/800px-Polar-Bear-Warning-Longyearbyen.jpg Slide Seven: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Polar_Bears_Play_fight.JPG/683px-Polar_Bears_Play_fight.JPG http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Polar_bear_arctic.JPG/800px-Polar_bear_arctic.JPG

9. Work Cited King, Judith. Wildlife Fact File. Pittsburg, PA. International Masters Publishers, 1997 &quot;Polar Bear . &quot; Wikipedia. 26 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bear>.