MOTHER BEAR AND CUBS
Alaska, USA / Hudson Bay, USA
Featured in Big Bear Diary from 2006
Fab fact
RELATED INFORMATION
Common name
Species name
Ursus maritimus
ARKive fact
When food is available polar bears have a remarkable ability to devour large amounts rapidly, and are also metabolically unique in their ability to switch from a normal state to a slowed-down, hibernation-like condition at any time of year when there is less food available. During this fasting time, they synthesise their fat and protein stores and recycle metabolic by-products.
Conservation status
Vulnerable
Distribution
Found throughout the circumpolar Arctic on ice-covered waters, from Canada, to Norway, parts of the US, the former USSR and Greenland (Denmark).
Habitat
The preferred habitat is the annual ice near the coastlines of continents and islands, where there are large numbers of ringed seals, on which these bears feed.
To view more media and information on this species visit www.arkive.org
Life on DVD
In Planet Earth, we brought you the world like you've never seen it before. Now get closer with Life. Order now
Human Planet blog
Go behind the scenes - exclusive content from the Human Planet production team
BBC Earth on iTunes
Download award-winning series including Blue Planet, Galapagos and more
Planet Earth Live
BBC Earth brings the awe-inspiring beauty of this series to life on the big screen. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this incredible series' most spectacular moments on the big screen in stunning hi-definition with Planet Earth composer and Emmy-winning George Fenton conducting some of America's most prestigious orchestras.
