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An average male stands over 8 feet tall and can weigh over 1000 pounds.
photo: Tom Gillespie
Characteristics: Polar Bears are the largest of all bears and the largest land-based carnivore. An average male stands over 8 feet tall and can weigh over 1000 pounds. A large body, thick layer of blubber and thick coat of fur protect them from harsh conditions.
Diet: The polar bears’ diet consists mainly of seals, but they will also eat other large marine animals, fish, seaweed and berries.
Reproduction: Polar bears usually give birth to two cubs. At birth, the cubs weigh only one pound. They are hairless, blind and deaf. They remain with their mother for about three years.
Environmental Connections: Humans are the polar bears' only natural enemy. Today oil wells, pipelines, roads, airstrips and homes are being built on the land where they live. Contamination of their environment through pesticides, oil spills and litter is a great threat.
Polar bears depend on the oceans for survival. The prey they eat, such as ringed seals, bearded seals, walrus pups, and sea lions also depend on the oceans. As small prey animals become contaminated they pass this contamination up the food chain to larger animals. Animals at the top of the chain receive much higher doses of toxins than animals lower on the chain. This process is called bioaccumulation. Polar bears can have large amounts of toxic chemicals stored in their bodies because of bioaccumulation.
Warmer temperatures, caused by global warming, have created another problem for polar bears. When there is less ice surface, seals spend more time in the water making it difficult for the bears to hunt.
Protecting polar bears means preserving the habitats in which they live. No ecosystem stands alone so it is important that we work to protect ecosystems on a global level.
What You Can Do
You can learn more about the N.C. Zoo's efforts to rescue two polar bears here.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
The Zoo is closed Christmas day and during severe weather. Call our information line at: 1-800-488-0444.
