1. ORDER CARNIVORA Polar Bears Pop 22,000-27,000
Arctic; winter temps to -50 F

2. Live on/near floating ice packs

3. Eat ringed & bearded seals (often pups), walruses, belugas
A polar bear with a fresh seal kill, probably a bearded seal. Note the gull nearby, it is an ivory gull - one of the few true Arctic birds. It never gets below about 70 degrees north latitude in its entire life.

4. Bearded Seal
Ringed Seal

5. Well adapted to life on the ice:
Large paws w/bristles for traction, claws

6. Good swimmers; paddle w/forelimbs

7. Streamlined, small head for heat conservation

8. 2 layers of dense fur; colorless, refracts light so it looks white
Blubber 10 cm thick

9. Males to 8-10 feet; 550 – 1700 lbs
Females 6-8 ft; 200 – 700 lbs
Lifespan 15 – 18 yrs