Polar Bear Facts

Tag: Polar Bear Behavior

  • Can Polar Bears Climb Trees?

    Can Polar Bears Climb Trees?

    Polar bears have got quite many adaptations to survive in the Arctic. They can swim great distances; they can run pretty fast, they can tolerate the frigid Arctic weather—but the question here is; can polar bears really climb trees just like black bears, giant panda, or even koalas. It’s a question that demands a little explanation. Well, first you must know that the Arctic is a treeless land. There are some plants that grow in summer, but the land is almost exclusively free of trees.

    Can Polar Bears Climb Trees?

    Polar bears cannot climb trees for they are probably too heavy to lift their weight up into the trees. Besides, unlike American black bears or giant pandas the polar bear’s claws are not really adapted to climbing. The black bear’s claws aren’t only relatively short, they are rounded too. It becomes generally comfortable for a bear to climb with rounded claws. Although the polar bear’s claws resemble American black bear’s, they are not really curved (like black bear’s claws) which would otherwise aid polar bears in climbing. No polar bear let alone adult bear has ever been noticed climbing trees.

    And so, American black bears are expert climbers. It comes in handy for them because by doing so they can protect themselves from potential predators. Even polar bear’s closest cousins, grizzlies have evolved to get up into the trees—perhaps not as quickly as others do. Nonetheless, grizzles do not often climb trees.

    Polar bears don’t have the climbing abilities—there’s no doubt about that. American black bears are specialist climbers. They will climb either to purse prey into the trees or avoid from becoming one. Black bears also climb in order to hibernate. Polar bears, on the other hand, do none of these. They neither rely on arboreal species, nor do they hibernate in trees—in fact they don’t hibernate at all. Furthermore, polar bears do not need to climb to escape predators. They are at the top of food chain in the Arctic. Therefore, it is logical to assume that polar bears’ inability to climb doesn’t in any way affect their lifestyle. Polar bears are way different from koalas, giant pandas, or even American black bears in their behavioral adaptations.

    Can Polar Bears Climb Trees? – Video

  • Polar Bear Behavior – Polar Bear Behavior Characteristics

    Polar bears (Ursus maritmus) are the largest of the land carnivores. They are solitary predators. Unlike most other carnivores (such as wolves) white bears will never hunt in groups. The nomadic polar bear doesn’t seem to rely on one hunting technique. The bear uses unique strategies that take months to learn and which is why adults typically prefer to kill prey as compared to young bears. Young bears will spend their initial two years of training with mother. The mother teaches her kids several techniques as well as how to survive in the natural habitat.

    Polar Bear Behavior – Polar Bear Behavior Facts

    Feeding Behavior

    Polar bears regularly feed on ringed and bearded seal but they also prey on larger prey such as beluga whale and walrus. The last two preys are rare because they are not as nutritious as seals. Seals provide blubber which is quite helpful during dormancy. However if white bears couldn’t find seals they would rely on coastal and terrestrial plants but the change in diet is temporary. Biologists believe that polar bears kill around 44% of seal pups each year. This has been observed in the Prince of Wales Island and Cornwallis Island.

    Read More: What Do Polar Bears Eat?

    Polar bears have got massive body and they need 2 kg (4.4 lbs) of fat every day. They do so by killing large number of seals in mid-June to mid-August when seals are abundant. Nonetheless, polar bears are able to spend months in starvation—an adaptation quite useful in warmer months when the sea ice melts.

    Reproductive Behavior

    Main Article: How Do Polar Bears Reproduce?

    Polar bears reach maturity after 5 – 6 years of age. The female gives birth to 1 – 2 cubs. The small litter size and predation at an early age are reasons for polar bear’s mortality. The female plays a major part in raising cubs. During starvation when the food is scarce the mother will not be able to raise two cubs at a time. It means that she may feed only one cub. It happens when twins are born. The birth usually occurs in November and December. Adult males rarely take part in nursing. The job must be done by a mother alone which is quite tough because alongside feeding she must protect them from adult males.

    polar bear behavior facts
    Photo by Arctic.ru

    Non-territorial Carnivorous

    White bears are mercurial creatures. They keep moving and they don’t seem to mark territories. This is probably an adaptation to adjust with different environmental stressors. The change in weather leads to a change in bear’s territory.

    Bears rely heavily on seals. During summer when the sea ice melts bears could not hunt their primary prey i.e. seals. As it turns out, they must keep moving and make homes where seals are abundant. The movement in polar bears is associated with their survival. The only way to survive is to follow the prey. That is why polar bears do not defend their territories.

    Nevertheless polar bears can be highly aggressive. Past incidents show that polar bears do attack humans but that occurs only when they are provoked. Hungry bears are highly dangerous and they may attack humans if they must. Normally white bears will walk away and avoid confrontations.

    Vast Home Range

    Polar bears possess extremely vast territory. The range is so wide that scientists are unable to measure the extent of its territory. This is one reason why biologists couldn’t come up with reasonable estimates of polar bear population.

    Polar Bear Behavior Facts – Video