Polar bears are the most carnivorous member of the bear family and have no natural predators other than themselves. They usually eat seals but also consume plants. Males will aggressively compete for mating rights and females can gain over 400 pounds during their four month pregnancies, giving birth to cubs between November and February that are born blind. Polar bears have adaptations like large teeth and keen senses that allow them to hunt prey in their Arctic environments and ranges.

1. Polar Bears. Lakeisha Nollner Earth Science

3. Taxonomy. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ursus Species: U. maritimus

4. Information. Polar bears are the most carnivorous member of the bear family. Its diet usually consists of ringed and bearded seals. They also eat plants such as roots, berries, and kelp. The common name is, polar bear. Polar bears are at the very top of the food chain and they don’t really have any predators besides themselves.

5. Information cont. Polar bears have a generallypolygynousmating system. A male may follow the tracks of a breeding female for 61 miles or more, and after finding her engage in intense fighting with other males over mating rights, fights which often result in scars and broken teeth. During the four months during the pregnancy, the female gains about 440 pounds. Between the months of November and February, cubs are born blind.

6. Their canine teeth are long, sharp, and widely spaced so they can seize and hold prey. Their senses, sight, and hearing are very keen. Adult males weigh between 770-1500 pounds and females weigh between 330-550 pounds. The legs are stocky and the ears and tail are small. Polar bears are very good swimmers.

7. Geographical Range.