BASIC FACTS

The estimated population is 22,000 - 27,000 polar bears. The adult males are 2.5 - 3 m (8 - 10 feet) tall and their weight is 250 - 770 kg (550 - 1,700 lbs). Adult females are 1.8 - 2.5 m (6 - 8 feet) tall. They weigh 90 - 320 kg (200 - 700 lbs). The polar bears main food source is seal, usualy ringed seal and sometimes the bearded seal. They have been known to eat walrus and buluga whale and sometimes snack on other foods such as birds and their eggs, kelp and beached whales. The average polar bear's life span in the wild is 15 to 18 years.

BABIES

When the female is between the ages of 4 and 8 they have their first litter of 2 cubs.They have about 5 litters in a life time, which makes them have one of the slowest reproductive rates of any mammal. When they are born, the polar bear cubs are tiny and defenceless, weighing only half a kilogram and having a length of 30 - 35 centimeters (12 - 14 inches) at birth. They are toothless, blind and covered in short, soft fur and they are completely dependent on their mother for food and warmth. They are born in November or December and stay in the den until March or April. The cubs usually stay with their mother until they are 2 1/2 years old.

WHY ENDANGERED

The polar bears are partly endangered because of global warming and poachers and also because the ring seals population is declining due to oilspills.

HOW TO HELP

1. Don't buy things made from polar bear fur
2. Make a donation at www.polarbearsinternational.org

Most of the information and pictures on this page were found at www.polarbearsinternational.org.