Polar Bear Facts and Adaptations Ursus maritimus Polar Bears are one of the archetypal polar animals associated with snow, ice and cold temperatures fending off the weather by being all wrapped up in a big fluffy thick white fur coat. Why does a polar bear have nostrils which it can close? 1) Polar bears are found in the frozen wilds of the Arctic, in Canada, Alaska (US), Greenland, Russia and Norway. Ready for an icy adventure, gang? Polar Bear Adaptations. The polar bear's life cycle is closely tied to sea ice. Although the bear is a land animal it is also called marine mammal because polar bear spends half of its life in swimming. It has no natural predators and knows no fear of humans, making it an extremely dangerous animal. Food is hard to find for polar bears in the north and when they find large amount of food (dead whale or a lot of seals) it will eat much more than its usual meal. When a polar bear swims under water it closes it nostrils so no water can get in. A polar bear’s body has a number of adaptations for living in cold Arctic conditions. What Color are Polar Bears? 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. 3. A polar bear's liver contains 10 times more vitamin A than any other animal on earth - their liver has evolved to allow them to process and eat all of the seal blubber they need to stay alive. Polar Bears. Explain the term adaptation. Polar Bear Digestive System Adaptations. Polar bears live along shores and on sea ice in the icy cold Arctic. Polar bear is also called arctic bear or white bear. Tell students you are going to adapt one of them for life as a polar bear. Here at National Geographic Kids we’re heading north – far north! Sometimes the polar bear stalks its prey. A polar bear’s fur is the thickest of all bears. Adaptations are body parts or behaviors that help a species survive in its habitat. Polar bears rely on the ice to travel, hunt seals, breed, and in some cases, den. They are partially webbed. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a large bear which lives in the Arctic. Polar Bear Habitat for Kids. Polar bears hunt on land and on sea. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the largest terrestrial carnivore in the world. Why does a polar bear have nostrils which it can close? Polar Bear Metabolism | Internal Body Temperature of a Polar Bear. Why will we not find a polar bear living in a desert? Life span: about 30 years. They are strong and fast, and can run as fast as 25 miles (40 km) an hour for a short distance. Polar bears often rest silently at a seal's breathing hole in the ice, waiting for a seal in the water to surface. 2) These are seriously big bears, gang. Polar Bears. Adaptation is the key to survival, and adaptations of the polar bear, which help it survive the harsh environment of Arctic tundra, are undoubtedly the best when it … Polar Bear Digestive System Adaptations. The polar bear stomach also has one of the adaptation of the polar bear. Polar Bear Adaptations The polar bear’s multi-layer coat provides camouflage, protection and insulation. When a polar bear swims under water it closes it nostrils so no water can get in. Polar bear, great white northern bear found throughout the Arctic region. Ask: When sea ice forms over the ocean in cold weather, many polar bears, except pregnant females, head out onto the ice to hunt seals . Diagram of Adaptations. Structural Adaptations. Polar bears primarily eat seals. The polar bear has an extremely well developed sense of smell, being able to detect seals nearly 1.6 km (1 mi) away and buried under 1 m (3 ft) of snow. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a large bear which lives in the Arctic.It is also called white bear or northern bear.It has black skin under the white fur.