by richard butler for the virginia aquarium created by phyllis butler 10/3/20152 marine mammals...

By Richard Butler for the Virginia AquariumBy Richard Butler for the Virginia Aquarium

Created by Phyllis Created by Phyllis ButlerButler

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Marine MammalsMarine MammalsCetaceansCetaceans

Toothed WhalesToothed WhalesBaleen WhalesBaleen WhalesDolphinsDolphinsPorpoisesPorpoises

SireniaSireniaManateeManateeDugong Dugong Steller’s Sea CowSteller’s Sea Cow

PinnipedsPinnipedsTrue SealsTrue Seals

Fur SealsFur Seals

Sea LionsSea Lions

WalrusWalrus

MustelidaeMustelidae Sea OttersSea Otters

River OttersRiver Otters

Polar BearsPolar BearsUrsus MaritimusUrsus Maritimus


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Marine Mammal UsesMarine Mammal Uses

MeatMeat

Oil Oil

SkinSkin

Public displayPublic display

ResearchResearch

Eco-tourismEco-tourism

Giants of the NorthGiants of the North


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Polar BearsPolar Bears

The scientific name, The scientific name, ““Ursus maritimusUrsus maritimus” ” for Polar Bears is for Polar Bears is Latin for “Latin for “sea sea bearbear”. ”.


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Polar Bear Notes Polar Bear Notes The polar bears are direct descendants of the grizzly. The polar bears are direct descendants of the grizzly. Polar Bears have;Polar Bears have;1.smaller heads than other bears but have longer necks 1.smaller heads than other bears but have longer necks

adapted for swimming. adapted for swimming. 2. a short tail and short ears. 2. a short tail and short ears. 3. webbed feet3. webbed feet4.canine teeth are longer and sharper. 4.canine teeth are longer and sharper. 5. nostrils that close to keep out water.5. nostrils that close to keep out water.6. fur has two layers: an undercoat with fine white hairs 6. fur has two layers: an undercoat with fine white hairs

and a guard coat with hollow hairs, another adaptation and a guard coat with hollow hairs, another adaptation for swimming. for swimming.

7. can swim up to 100 miles using dog paddle strokes.7. can swim up to 100 miles using dog paddle strokes.


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Polar BearsPolar BearsDescriptionDescriptionScientific Name:Scientific Name: (Ursus maritimus) (Ursus maritimus) Length: Length: 8.25-11.5 ft8.25-11.5 ftHeight (on 4’s): Height (on 4’s): 3.5 feet3.5 feetWeight:Weight: 1,100 - 1,3201,100 - 1,320Life span:Life span: 25 years 25 yearsReproductive ages 3-5, 5-7yearsReproductive ages 3-5, 5-7yearsGestation:Gestation: 220 days 220 daysMax. Speed: Max. Speed: 25 mph25 mphSwimming Speed: 6 mphSwimming Speed: 6 mph


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Polar BearsPolar BearsDietDietSeals are their primary Seals are their primary source of food. source of food.

They can go for weeks They can go for weeks without food because their without food because their large stomach can hold up large stomach can hold up to 150 pounds of food. to 150 pounds of food. Polar Bear HuntingPolar Bear Hunting


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Polar BearsPolar BearsRoam for foodRoam for food

As the ice pack recedes As the ice pack recedes they follow the ice line to they follow the ice line to be near the Ringed sealsbe near the Ringed seals

During the summer when During the summer when food begins to diminish, food begins to diminish, they eat anything they eat anything possible. possible.


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Polar Bears Polar Bears

HabitatHabitat

The polar bears don’t really have territories like other The polar bears don’t really have territories like other bears would. bears would. They are mainly roamers and do not defend the areas that They are mainly roamers and do not defend the areas that they live in. they live in. They may cover over 100,000 square miles in their life They may cover over 100,000 square miles in their life time. time. Polar bears are found in all polar regions in the northern Polar bears are found in all polar regions in the northern hemisphere.hemisphere.


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Polar Bear Arctic RangePolar Bear Arctic Range


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Female Polar Bear and CubsFemale Polar Bear and Cubs

The female Polar bear will chase her cubs off The female Polar bear will chase her cubs off when they are about 30 months old and it is when they are about 30 months old and it is time for her to mate againtime for her to mate again


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Polar BearsPolar Bears areare

strong swimmers withstrong swimmers with

4.3 in thick blubber4.3 in thick blubber

Polar bears swim long distances for food and reproduction.Polar bears swim long distances for food and reproduction.

They can swim for several hours at a time at 6mph. They can swim for several hours at a time at 6mph.

They've been tracked swimming continuously for 65 to 100 miles.They've been tracked swimming continuously for 65 to 100 miles.

A polar bear's front paws propel them through the water dog-A polar bear's front paws propel them through the water dog-paddle style. paddle style.

The hind feet and legs are held flat and are used as rudders. The hind feet and legs are held flat and are used as rudders.


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Polar Polar BearsBears

Did you dare me to skate on thin ice? Did you dare me to skate on thin ice?


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Polar BearsPolar BearsFood SourcesFood Sources

The Polar bear The Polar bear rarely dives for rarely dives for food. food.

They do catch fish They do catch fish but are too slow to but are too slow to catch seals in the catch seals in the water, swimming water, swimming at only 4-6 MPHat only 4-6 MPH


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Polar BearsPolar BearsMom and BruinsMom and Bruins

Mother with CubsMother with Cubs


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A Polar Bear Den is just big enough for Mother Bear and her cubsA Polar Bear Den is just big enough for Mother Bear and her cubs


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Polar Bear FactsPolar Bear FactsPolar Bears have fur that is different from any Polar Bears have fur that is different from any

other animal.other animal.

Close to their body they have a thick layer of Close to their body they have a thick layer of woolly fur to keep them warm, but they also have woolly fur to keep them warm, but they also have long hollow guard hairs that stick up at all times. long hollow guard hairs that stick up at all times.

When the bear shakes , he is drying himself.When the bear shakes , he is drying himself.


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White fur may be White fur may be great for great for camouflage, but camouflage, but black skin helps black skin helps to absorb heatto absorb heat. .


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Polar BearsPolar BearsStill HunterStill Hunter

Polar bears hunt by stealthPolar bears hunt by stealth

They will sit motionless for They will sit motionless for hours by an ice hole hours by an ice hole waiting for a Ringed seal waiting for a Ringed seal to stick it’s head up.to stick it’s head up.

When it does, the bear will When it does, the bear will grab the seal by the head grab the seal by the head and jerk the entire seal out and jerk the entire seal out of the water.of the water.


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These magnificent and These magnificent and intelligent mammals intelligent mammals of the ice fear almost of the ice fear almost nothing. nothing.


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Polar BearsPolar BearsConservationConservation

International Protection treaty signed International Protection treaty signed in 1973in 1973


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StatusStatus

Over hunting brought a huge decline in polar bears.Over hunting brought a huge decline in polar bears.

In 1967 a conservation treaty was passed to save the In 1967 a conservation treaty was passed to save the bears. bears.

Worldwide population of 20,000-40,000 bears. Worldwide population of 20,000-40,000 bears.

Canada hosts the greatest number with a population of Canada hosts the greatest number with a population of about 15,000. about 15,000.


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Polar BearPolar Bear

Snooze time !Snooze time !


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Polar Bear ManagementPolar Bear Management

To keep polar bear numbers at the optimum population To keep polar bear numbers at the optimum population levels despite increased harvests and pollution, there levels despite increased harvests and pollution, there will need to be more accurate and precise population will need to be more accurate and precise population estimates. estimates.

An understanding of the entire ecosystem forces that An understanding of the entire ecosystem forces that limit polar bear population size is necessary. limit polar bear population size is necessary.


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PicturesPictures

Polar bears are solitary most Polar bears are solitary most of their livesof their lives

Polar bears are very Polar bears are very adept at catching fish adept at catching fish in rivers and streams in rivers and streams especially Salmonespecially Salmon


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Phew !Phew !

Mother and CubMother and Cub


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Polar Polar BearBear

Give Up ?Give Up ?

Polar Bears are well insulatedPolar Bears are well insulated

Created by Phyllis ButlerCreated by Phyllis Butler

by richard butler for the virginia aquarium created by phyllis butler 10/3/20152 marine mammals...

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