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How have polar bears adapted to survive in the Arctic Circle (Tundra)? -…
How have polar bears adapted to survive in the Arctic Circle (Tundra)?
Location of the Arctic Circle
Latitude
Line of latitude that circles the Earth at approximately 66° 33' 47.2" north of the Equator
Other facts
The Arctic Circle has no longitude
There are 10 cities in the Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is a geographic circle that round the North Pole, which is its central point
The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed
Climate of the Arctic Circle
Four seasons
Length
Winter lasts for nine months
Summer lasts for 3 months
Temperature
Winter temperatures average between −15 and −30 °C (5 and -22°F)
Summer temperatures average between 0 and 8 °C (32 and 46 °F)
Other facts
Perceived as a region stuck in a permanent deep freeze
The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 15.9 °C
January is the coldest month, with temperatures averaging -24.2 °C
Plants, Animals and Human Groups (Abiotic) of the Arctic Circle
Plants
Arctic plants must contend with a harsh environment: low temperatures, continuous daylight in summer, permanently frozen ground, and dry winds and blowing snow
Trees
Succulents
Lichens
Sedges
Grasses
Woody shrubs
Miniature Flowering Plant
Animals
Polar Bear
Arctic Fox
Bowhead Whale
Walrus
Snowy Owl
Narwhal
Musk Ox
Reindeer or Caribou
Beluga Whale
Greenland Shark
Arctic Tern
Arctic Hare
Arctic Weasel
Collared lemmings
Ringed Seal
Northern Fulmar
Gyrfalcon
Snow Bunting
Human Groups
Population
Four million people live north of the Arctic Circle
Transportation
Water
Larger ships either across the seas or down the rivers
Canoe
Kayak
Land
For transportation, people in the arctic often travel by sled pulled by a pack of huskies.
Tires on snowmobiles or bikes that can take people around the thick snow
Boots to walk on snow
Food
Vegetable
Seaweed
Carrots
Potato
Fungi
Turnips
Beets
Meat
Reindeer
Seal
Fish
Entertainment
Ice sculpting
Viewing wildlife
Skiing
Snowboarding
Hiking
Sledding
River floating
How have polar bears adapted to survive in the Arctic Circle (Tundra)
Physical
Thick coat of insulated fur, which covers a warming layer of fat
Fur grows on the bottom of their paws, which protects against cold surfaces and provides a good grip on ice
Its' stark white coat provides camouflage in surrounding snow, so it can hide itself from prey
Under their fur, polar bears have black skin—the better to soak in the sun's warming rays.
Large feet to distribute their load and increase grip on the ice
Greasy coat that sheds water after swimming to help reduce heat loss
Small, rounded ears that prevents water from entering its ears
Use their large claws and teeth to tear apart their prey
Are very good swimmers
Behavioral
Dig dens to protect themselves from cold winds
The ability to be a strong swimmer helps with hunting and swimming through ice, and it can catch fish in the water
Polar bears use body language and vocalisations to communicate
They give birth while hibernating
They speed through their hibernation. They rely on their fat
Aggression occur between:
males competing for breeding females
mothers protecting cubs
try to steal or scavenge food from another’s kill
Eats seals, walruses, whale carcasses and bird eggs
Carnivore (Only eats meats)
Functional
Swimming
Front paws propel them through the water dog-paddle style
Hind feet and legs are held flat and are used as rudders
Nostrils close when under water
Other Facts
Can obtain a swimming speed of 10 kph (6.2 mph)
Have been tracked swimming continuously for 100 km (62 mi.).
Longest recorded swim was for 426 miles!
Hunting
The polar bear often relies on "still hunting" to hunt its prey -- patiently waiting next to a hole in the ice until it senses a surfacing seal. Then, when the seal comes up for air, it bites the seal and brings it to the ground
They will search out bird eggs
Dens
They make their dens in earthen subterranean or in a snow cave/ice cap
They make dens for shelter or for hibernation, where the mother polar bear will stay in the den with her cubs for the entire winter until it is safe to come out
Mother bears also make dens when she is about to give birth
Communication
Vocalization
Cubs vocalize more often. Sounds include hissing, squalling, whimpering, lip-smacking, and throaty rumblings.
Adult polar bears vocalize when they're agitated or threatened. Sounds include hissing, growling and champing of teeth
Touch, smell, sight
Play fighting
Approaches another male with its head down, mouth closed, and eyes averted
Usually make contact by gently touching or "mouthing" each other around the face and neck.
They rear up on their hind legs and try to push each other over with their forepaws.
Mother can comfort, protect, or punish her cubs by using her body, muzzle, or paws.
Citations
https://polar-bear-project.weebly.com/physical--behavioral-adaptations.html#:~:text=Polar%20bears%20are%20not%20territorial,language%20and%20vocalizations%20to%20communicate
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https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/polar-bear/adaptations/#:~:text=Polar%20bears%20are%20strong%20swimmers,a%20time%20over%20long%20distances.&text=A%20polar%20bear's%20front%20paws,and%20are%20used%20as%20rudders
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https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Polar-Bear#:~:text=Polar%20bears%20hunt%20seals%20by,eat%20walruses%20and%20whale%20carcasses
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https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/polar-bear/communication/#:~:text=Polar%20bears%20also%20communicate%20through%20sight%2C%20touch%2C%20and%20smell.&text=The%20bears%20usually%20make%20contact,other%20over%20with%20their%20forepaws
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Food Web
link to www.google.com