Ice giants can live in inhospitable conditions
The core bears (Ursus Maritimus) Are carnivorous mammals that live exclusively in the frozen regions of the Arctic. Considered the greatest terrestrial carnivores of the planet, these animals impress not only for physical dimensions – which can exceed 2.5 meters standing – but also for their ability to survive in extremely cold and inhospitable conditions. With their white coat, they camouflage themselves among the blocks of ice, becoming efficient and discreet hunters.
Recently, the Aquarium of San Paolo celebrated a historical milestone with the birth of Nur, the first polar bears born in Latin America. Daughter of Aurora and Pilgrim Bears, who live in the Aquarium about ten years after coming from the Kazan zoo, in Russia, the bear was born on November 17, 2024, of Pesa about 400 grams. Its name, which means “light” in Arabic, symbolizes hope for the conservation of the species, threatened by climate change.
So you know some curiosities about core bears!
1. The skin is black, but the hair looks like white
The hand of the polar bear may seem white to the human eye, but his hair is actually translucent and reflect visible light, creating a white appearance as a form of camouflage in the snow. Under this coatThe skin of the animal is black, which helps to better absorb the heat of the sun: a thermal advantage in an environment in which temperatures reach -40 ° C. This combination is one of the main adaptations to arctic life.
2. Swim for days without stopping
Core bears are exceptional swimmers. They can cross great distances in the Arctic Ocean, swimming for hours – and even for days – looking for ice blocks or prey. Cases of bears were registered by swimming more than 400 kilometers in a row. Their front legs are long and act as rowing, while the rear helps the body. Prolonged swimming is an increasingly necessary ability, since the Arctic defrost reduces its hunting territory.
3. They are native exclusively from the Arctic
Scholarships live only in the Arctic Polar Circle, which is located in the regions of Canada, Alaska (United States), Russia, Greenland and Norway (Quasvalbard). Do not inhabit Antarctica, which is exclusive territory of penguins. Your habitat It is marine ice, where they can hunt more efficiently, in particular the seals, their main source of food. Ice addiction makes them extremely vulnerable to climate change and global warming.
4. The puppies were born small and fragile
Despite the large dimensions of adults, the polar puppies are born very small from 600 to 700 grams. They were born blind, without hair and totally dependent on the mother. The females produce snow by snow and remain in them during the winter, where they give birth and take care of puppies for up to three months before they emerge. During this period, the female does not feed and lives only from the fatty reserves accumulated before pregnancy.
5. The smell is its main hunting weapon
THE odor core bears is highly developed. They can detect the smell of a seal about 1.5 km away or even through layers of ice with more than one meter thick. This ability allows you to identify hidden prey on dens or breaths on the surface of the ice. Since they depend on the seals to get enough fat to survive, this ability is essential for their survival.
6. They have a thick layer of protective fat
In addition to the dense coat and dark skin, nucleus bears have a layer of subcutaneous fat that can reach thickness up to 11 centimeters. This layer helps to isolate the body against the extreme cold and is essential to maintain a stable body temperature, even during long stays in cold water. Grasso also acts as an energy reserve during fasting periods, especially in summer, when hunting becomes more difficult.
7. They are at the top of the Arctic food chain
The polar bear is the greatest predator in the Arctic. Like Superpreen, he plays an essential role in ecological balance, helping to control seal populations and maintain the healthy functioning of the food chain. Your diet It is mainly based on animal fat, in particular the seals, but sometimes scarcity can consume poultry, fish and even carcass carcasses.
8. Only partially letharic females
Unlike other species of bears that lebor up during the winter, the nucleus Adults remain active all year round, with the exception of females in pregnancy. These enter a state similar to hibernation during the winter, when they are repaired in the lairs to give birth and take care of the puppies. During this period, the metabolism decreases, but does not reach a complete dormant state as it occurs with brown bears, for example.
9. They face the threat of extinction
With the rapid fusion of marine ice, core bears have lost hunting areas and must travel longer distances to find food. This directly affects your health, reproduction and life expectancy. According to the International Union for the conservation of nature (IUCN), the species is considered vulnerable. The conservation of yours habitat Natural is one of the main strategies to guarantee the continuity of the species in the future.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
