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Black Bears - The Wildlife Animals of British Columbia, Canada. Black Bear

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Black Bears. A Wilderness Wildlife Viewing Guide to the Black Bears of British Columbia, Canada

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Animal Scoop - Bear - Asiatic - Black - Brown - Grizzley - Panda - Sloth - Polar - Sun - Spectacled - BillyBear4Kids.com

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Billy Bear takes you on a photo safari. Photos from his trips around the states.

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Black bear facts

1. American black bears are found in Canada, Mexico and North America.

2. They mostly eat grasses, herbs and fruit, but will sometimes eat other things, including fish.

3. The black bear's coat has lots of layers of shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months.

4. They may be called black bears, but their coat can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown and even sometimes white!

5. Their short claws make black bears expert tree climbers.

6. They may be large, but black bears can run up to 40kmph!

7. These big bears have a very good sense of smell and can often be seen standing on their hind legs, sniffing scents!

8. They usually live in forests but black bears are also found in mountains and swamps.

9. Black bears spend winter dormant in their dens, feeding on body fat they have built up over the summer and autumn.

10. They make their dens in caves, burrows or other sheltered spots. Sometimes they even make them in tree holes high above the ground!

Image ⓒ Black bear orange/red background: Getty (137271612). Black in river by log: Getty (974185272). Black bear in grass: Getty (160869655).

What did you make to our fascinating black bear facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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10 black bear facts! | National Geographic Kids

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1. American black bears are found in Canada, Mexico and North America. 2. They mostly eat grasses, herbs and fruit, but will sometimes eat other things, including fish. 3. The black bear's coat has lots of layers of shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months. 4.

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American Black Bear ( Ursus americanus)
Also known as Black Bear or North American Black Bear
Species Code: URAM

What they look like: The American Black Bear is the most common bear native to North America. The coat of a Black Bear is shaggy and usually black but it can also be dark brown, cinnamon, or yellow-brown. Eyes are brown (blue at birth). Skin is light gray.

The black bear is about 4 to 7 feet long from nose to tail, and two to three feet high at the shoulders. It has small eyes, rounded ears, a long brown snout, a large body, and a short tail. Males weigh an average of 150-300 lbs.

Where they live: American Black Bears are found in the forested areas of Canada, USA and Mexico. They once occupied nearly all of the forested regions of North America.

Black bears live in a variety of habitat types. They are mainly found in forested areas with thick ground cover and an abundance of fruits, nuts and vegetation. During the winter they hibernate in dens.

Click on a range map to see where black bears live in Washington.

What they eat: American Black Bears are omnivores. Most of their diet is plant based. American Black Bears mainly feed on vegetation including herbs, grasses, roots, buds, shoots, honey, nuts, fruit, berries and seeds. They will also eat fish, small mammals, insects, dead animals and garbage.

In northern regions, black bears eat salmon that they catch in a stream.

Behavior: Most bears become active a half-hour before sunrise, take a nap or two during the day, and bed down for the night an hour or two after sunset. Some bears are active mainly at night to avoid people or other bears.

Black bears are considered highly efficient hibernators. They sleep for months without eating, drinking, urinating, or defecating.

Reproduction: American Black Bears are solitary animals except for mothers with cubs, during the breeding season or when they come together at feeding sites. Solitary animals live alone.

Black bears mate during the months of June and July. Cubs are born in January or February after a gestation period of 215 days. There are usually 2 - 3 cubs per litter, but litter sizes can be as large as 5.

Did you know?

Most of their diet is plant based.

Cubs stay with their mother for about 2 years to learn how to hunt and survive.

Lean bears are fast. They can run up to 30 miles per hour.

American Black Bears are good swimmers.

American Black Bear Photo by Alan Wilson, Natures Pics

Animal silhouettes available to purchase "Photos: Natures Pics
Sources:

ADW: Ursus americanus: Information
Information about the American black bear from the Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

Black Bear Facts - WDFW - Living with Wildlife

Black Bear Facts - North American Bear Center

Home | About Us | How to Participate | Biodiversity Modules | Projects | Maps | News | Resources

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American Black Bear ( Ursus americanus) Also known as Black Bear or North American Black Bear Species Code: URAM What they look like: The American Black Bear is the most common bear native to North America. The coat of a Black Bear is shaggy and usually black but it can also be dark brown, cinnamon, or yellow-brown.

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If you ever see a bear in the wild, chances are, it's a black bear. These small, timid bears live in forests and woodland areas in many parts of the United States. Male black bears weigh between 150 and 250 pounds. Females are smaller.

Black bears are omnivores. They eat mostly plants, roots, small mammals, insects and lizards. They can smell food from far away and will get into trash cans or camp sites. Black bears are usually afraid of people. If they lose their fear of people, they sometimes attack. That's why you should never, ever feed a bear.

Fun Facts about Black Bears for Kids

Black bears sleep in caves during the winter. Mamas have babies in the caves. They wake up to care for their babies.

Black bears are good moms. They feed, dry and protect their babies. If a predator comes, mama black bears scoot their babies up a tree.

Black bears can run up to 30 miles per hour.

Black bears like to swim.

Black bears aren't always black. They can be brown, red, or even white.

Black Bear Vocabulary

Learn More All About Black Bears

Check out this interesting video all about black bears:

A video documentary of a mother black bear teaching her cub some life lessons.

Black Bear Q&A

Question: Are black bears safe to pet?

Answer: Black bears aren't as aggressive as brown bears, but they are wild animals. Leave them alone and never feed them. If one approaches you, stand tall, wave your arms and make noise. Back slowly away.

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Question: How long do cubs stay with their mom?

Answer: Baby black bears stay with their mothers for 2 to 3 years.

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Question: Do black bear eat large mammals?

Answer: Black bears usually eat plants and berries. They love ants, grubs and worms.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Black Bears info? Take the FREE & fun Black Bears quiz and download FREE Black Bears worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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If you ever see a bear in the wild, chances are, it's a black bear. These small, timid bears live in forests and woodland areas in many parts of the United States. Male black bears weigh between 150 and 250 pounds. Females are smaller. Black bears are omnivores.

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When you think of a big, fierce bear, you're probably thinking of brown bears. North American brown bears are sometimes called grizzlies, and they are definitely big, fierce animals. Brown bears live in Europe and Asia too.

Brown bears are the second largest bear, after polar bears. Male brown bears weigh between 300 and 900 pounds. These big bears love salmon and other fish. In Alaska, Washington and Canada, they stand in rivers and catch the fish in their mouths or with their paws.

Fun Facts about Brown Bears for Kids

Brown bears aren't just brown. Some are cream or black.

Brown bears are omnivores, which means they eat just about anything. They'll eat deer, fish, small mammals, berries, honey, nuts and plants. They'll eat your garbage if you let them, but you should never feed a bear.

Brown bears dig cozy caves with their long claws. They sleep in the caves for most of the winter. Their heartbeats slow down to 10 beats per minute.

Brown bear mamas have babies during the winter while they are asleep! The babies drink mama's milk and stay warm in their mama's fur. In the spring, mama wakes up to meet her new cubs.

Brown Bear Vocabulary

Learn More All About Brown Bears

Check out this amazing video all about brown bears:

A documentary video about grizzly bears fishing for food.

Brown Bear Q&A

Question: When are brown bears the hungriest?

Answer: When they first come out of their caves in the spring. They live off their fat during the winter. They lose up to one-third of their weight while they are sleeping. Talk about a crash diet!

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Question: Are brown bears dangerous?

Answer: Brown bears are more aggressive than other bears, but they usually leave people alone unless they feel scared.

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Question: Where do brown bears live in America?

Answer: In zoos, of course, and in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Brown Bears info? Take the FREE & fun all about Brown Bears quiz and download FREE Brown Bears worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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When you think of a big, fierce bear, you're probably thinking of brown bears. North American brown bears are sometimes called grizzlies, and they are definitely big, fierce animals. Brown bears live in Europe and Asia too. Brown bears are the second largest bear, after polar bears.

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BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Ursus arctos, brown bear: INFORMATION

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BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species

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Brown Bear: facts, diet, habitat, baby cubs, claws, kodiak

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Brown Bear: facts, diet, habitat, baby cubs, claws, kodiak

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Approximate worldwide winter
distribution of polar bears (light gray).
Polar bears are distributed throughout most
ice-covered seas of the Northern Hemisphere.

Source: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/
Ursus maritimus
The polar bear or the sea/ice bear are the world's largest land predators. They can be found in the Artic, the U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Denmark (Greenland), and Norway. Each of these countries either banned hunting or established rules for how many polar bears could be hunted within its own boundaries. These rules help keep polar bear populations stable. Today, 25,000 to 40,000 polar bears roam the Arctic.

Please note: The photos on this page have come from clipart CD's which allow use on educational internet sites and in school projects or they have been contributed by viewers.

You are free to use all of it in book reports or for your personal website.

See KidZone Bibliography for more information.

Around the age of four or five the female polar bear can start having babies. They usually only have two cubs and they have these babies in a cave they've dug in a large snow drift. They stay there over winter and come out in spring with the babies.

The babies are much smaller than human babies when they're born. They are the size of a rat and weigh little more than a pound. They can grow to full man size in a year if they have lots of food.

Pair of polar bear cubs.
photo by: US Fish and Wildlife

Male polar bears may grow 10 feet tall and weigh over 1400 pounds. Females reach seven feet and weigh 650 pounds. In the wild polar bears live up to age 25.

Despite what we think, a polar bear's fur is not white. Each hair is a clear hollow tube. Polar bears look white because each hollow hair reflects the light. On sunny days, it traps the sun's infrared heat and keeps the bear warm at 98 degrees F (when they're resting).

Polar bear fur is oily and water repellent. The hairs don't mat when wet, allowing the polar bears to easily shake free of water and any ice that may form after swimming.

Underneath the fur, a polar bear's skin is actually black -- the black skin soaks up the sun's heat and helps them stay warm.

Polar bears also have a 4 inch layer of fat underneath their skin. This prevents them from losing any of their heat. In fact, if you look at a polar bear with an infared camera, they are pretty close to invisible (in other words, they don't give off any heat!)

The smallest foot pad is the front track
and the larger is the hind track.

Polar bears have wide front paws with slightly webbed toes that help them swim. They paddle with their front feet and steer with their hind feet. Paw pads with rough surfaces help prevent polar bears from slipping up on the ice.

Polar bears have been known to swim 100 miles (161 kilometers) at a stretch.

Polar bears primarily eat seals. They often rest silently at a seal's breathing hole in the ice, waiting for a seal in the water to surface. Once the seal comes up, the bear will spring and sink its jagged teeth into the seal's head.

They have a special liver that allows them to process all of the seal fat they eat - seals store a lot of vitamin A in their blubber which allows them to survive and grow quickly. A polar bear's liver contains 10 times more vitamin A than any other animal on earth - their liver has evolved to allow them to process and eat all of the seal blubber they need to stay alive.

Sometimes the polar bear stalks its prey. It may see a seal lying near its breathing hole and slowly move toward it, then charge it, biting its head or grabbing it with its massive claws. A polar bear may also hunt by swimming beneath the ice.

Humans are the polar bears only predator. Baby polar bears often starve. In fact, 70 percent do not live to their third birthday. Sometimes seals are hard to find, especially in the summer when the ice has melted. All across the Arctic, man is moving in to mine oil and coal and there is less space for the polar bear to live. Oil spills can be very dangerous. A bear with oil on its coat cannot regulate its body temperature properly. If the bear eats the oil while grooming it could die.

Man made pollution is also a cause of death. At each stage of the food chain, pollutants get more concentrated. By the end when the polar bear eats the seal and it could be lethal.

Polar Bears are considered marine mammals -- just like seals, whales and dolphins. Although polar bears are related to the brown bear, they have evolved over time to live in cold northern arctic climates. Their population is on the decline and they are considered a "vulnerable" species.

photo by: US Fish and Wildlife

Protecting polar bears isn't just a matter of being nice. Their body is very different than most mammals -- they are able to process large amounts of fat (seal blubber) and are able to lose and gain large amounts of weight through the year without causing stress health problems. Scientists are studying them to see if they can provide a key to human diseases like diabetes and heart disease!

Scientific genus and species: Ursus maritimus

Class: Mammalia (mammals)

Order: Carnivora (carnivores)

Family: Ursidae (bear family)

Genus: Ursus

Species: maritimus (meaning "sea bear")

Polar Bear On-Line Jigsaw Puzzles:

(Puzzle 2: Polar Bear with cub)

< Giant Panda

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Approximate worldwide winter distribution of polar bears (light gray). Polar bears are distributed throughout most ice-covered seas of the Northern Hemisphere. Source: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/ Ursus maritimus The polar bear or the sea/ice bear are the world's largest land predators. They can be found in the Artic, the U.S.

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Polar bears live along shores and on sea ice in the icy cold Arctic. When sea ice forms over the ocean in cold weather, many polar bears, except pregnant females, head out onto the ice to hunt seals.

Polar bears primarily eat seals. Polar bears often rest silently at a seal's breathing hole in the ice, waiting for a seal in the water to surface. A polar bear may also hunt by swimming beneath the ice. But climate change is making it harder for polar bears to hunt. Ice melts earlier and re-forms later than it has in the past. Without the sea ice, the polar bear must scavenge for other, less nutritious food.

Polar bears roam the Arctic ice sheets and swim in that region's coastal waters. They are very strong swimmers, and their large front paws, which they use to paddle, are slightly webbed. Some polar bears have been seen swimming hundreds of miles from land-though they probably cover most of that distance by floating on sheets of ice.

In fall pregnant polar bears make dens in earth and snowbanks, where they'll stay through the winter and give birth to one to three cubs. In spring the mother emerges from her den followed by her cubs. During that time she will protect them and teach them how to hunt. The U.S., Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Russia signed an agreement in 1973 to protect polar bears.

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Polar bears live along shores and on sea ice in the icy cold Arctic. When sea ice forms over the ocean in cold weather, many polar bears, except pregnant females, head out onto the ice to hunt seals. Polar bears primarily eat seals.

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Among all the bears species, Polar Bears are very unique and interesting to study. Their adaptations to their environment in the cold arctic and their survival instincts have always fascinated researchers. Most recent studies have suggested a significant impact of global warming on the life of polar bears and have revealed alarming situation regarding their survival. We have gathered a complete set of Polar Bear Facts for Kids that will enable you to learn all about this amazing animal. Please do share this information with your friends and family in order to create awareness about polar bears.

Polar Bear Facts for Kids

The Polar Bear is a carnivorous bear which is found in the Arctic Circle i.e. Arctic Ocean, Seas and surrounding Land Masses.

It is the sister species of the Brown Bear.

It is born on land, but spends most of its time on sea ice in the Arctic Circle.

It is the one of the largest mammals living on land.

It is a marine mammal because it mostly found near ice and water.

Polar bears are on the top of the food chain in the Arctic region and feed primarily on the seals' fat.

The Polar Bear is one of the largest carnivorous mammal living on land.

It adopted its name - Polar Bear from the fact that it is mostly found at the North Pole of the earth.

A Polar Bear's body is covered in white fur generally. However, its fur color can range from white to creamy yellow and even light brown during summer.

Its fur is very thick, which keeps it warm in the extremely cold climate of the Arctic Circle.

The length of a male Polar Bear is 240-260 cm. And the length of a female polar bear is 190-210 cm.

There are NO other types or species of Polar Bears.

The Polar Bear is made for the cold climate of the Arctic Circle.

Its fur is made up of dense and insulating underfur which has guard hair on top. This fur prevents any heat loss. In fact, it can overheat an adult male if he runs.

Its skin below the fur is black in color, which surrounds an 11.4 cm thick layer of fat. Only this fat keeps the bear warm in water, because the bear's fur is a bad insulator when wet.

Bear cubs can't swim in water because their fat layer isn't thick enough to prevent heat loss.

The polar bear tail is short and ears are small and round, which further minimizes the heat loss.

The paws of the Polar Bears are ideal for walking on the Arctic.

In water, the front paws act as large paddles and rear paws act as rudders for swimming.

Polar bears have a remarkable sense of smell as they can detect a seal 3 feet beneath the ice from a distance of one kilometer.

Adults polar bears are great swimmers as they can swim for hours in search of food.

Learn more: Do Polar Bears Have Tails

Polar bear can run at a speed of about 40 kph (25 mph).

Eyes of the Polar Bear are dark brown which are quite close together.

Polar Bear's eyesight is similar to the humans.

Its eyes have a protective membrane that protects them from ultraviolet light.

The Polar Bear has large paws with five toes each. Their diameters are 30 cm (12 inches).

These paws act like snowshoes, carrying bear's weight as it travels over ice and snow.

The Polar Bear has round and partial webbed fore-paws and elongated hind paws.

The sole of Polar Bear's feet have black thick pads which are covered with soft, small dermal bumps scientifically known as "papillae".

These papillae help the Polar Bear in walking without slipping because it produces friction between the foot and ice.

Each toe of the Polar Bear has round, thick and non-retractile claws. These claws are used for grasping prey and for adhesion during climbing and running on ice.

A Polar Bear has 11.4 cm of thick fat which is covered by it's skin.

The polar bear skin color is black in color. It absorbs the heat from sun and keeps the bear warm.

The skin is covered with fur, made up of two layers:1. The outer layer of the fur is clear, having long 'guard' hair. Their length is 5-15 cm.

2. The inner layer is a thick undercoat having shorter hair.

Some of the unusual characteristics of the guard hair are:
1. They are tapered and have a hollow core filled with air.
2. They have light scattering particles inside them.
3. They are made of keratin which is a protein.
4. They also have small salt particles which are present in every hair.

The white fur is a very good insulator and prevents almost any heat loss.

However, the fur is a poor insulator when it becomes wet.

Polar bears have evolved to have black skin.

Black objects don't reflect any light. Hence, they absorb the most heat energy from the sun among all the other colors.

The temperature in countries around the Arctic Circle like Alaska, Russia, Greenland, Norway and Canada is very low. So, sunlight is an important source of energy for Polar Bears in the Arctic Circle.

The black skin of the Polar Bear absorbs the maximum heat from the sunlight to keep the bear warm.

The clear fur covering the skin allows this sunlight to pass through and be absorbed by the skin, but the fur still looks white due to luminescence.

12. Are Polar Bears White - Why do Polar Bears have White Fur

A polar bear's fur has no color. It looks white because of luminescence.

When the sun's rays bounce off the clear "guard hair" and some of the light energy enters the hair and is trapped.

The energy inside the hollow part of the hair bounces around which causes the emission of light, called luminescence.

Polar Bears generally appear white due to luminescence in their colorless fur.

However, the colors of the Polar Bears range from White to Creamy Yellow to Light Brown.

Polar Bears are found mostly in the Arctic climates where it is extremely cold during winters.

They have thick fur which keeps them safe from freezing to death.

The thick fur is a poor conductor of heat, so it minimizes heat loss from the body after trapping air from surroundings.

So, the basic purpose of the thick fur on Polar Bears is to keep them warm.

Among all the bear species polar bear is the biggest bear.

How Tall are Polar Bears - Polar Bear Height

The average height of polar bears when standing on all of its fours legs is 1 to 1.5 meter i.e. 3.5 to 5 feet.

The average height of polar bears when standing on its hind legs is more than 3 meter i.e. 10 feet.

The average length of a polar is around 2.2 to 2.5 meter i.e. 7.25 to 8 feet from head to rump while the tail only adds another 3 to 5 inches.

Learn more: How Tall is a Polar Bear

How Heavy is a Polar Bear - Polar Bear Weight

Adult Female - 150 to 250 kg

Adult Male - More than 800 kg

Learn more: How Much Does A Polar Bear Weigh

The average life span of Polar Bears is:
1. Wild Polar Bear - 15 to 18 years
2. Captive Polar Bear - 20 to 30 years

The oldest that a Polar Bear ever lived was 42 years.

Polar Bears have evolved over time to adapt to their habitat in order to survive.

The adaptations developed by Polar Bears are:
1. Small Ears - Reducing heat loss
2. Small Tail - Reducing heat loss
3. Thick layer of Fat - Insulation and Energy storage
4. Thick fur - Insulation and Camouflage
5. Fur on soles - Better grip and Insulation
6. Large feet - Better load management on ice
7. Sharp Teeth and Claws - Help in Hunting and Eating

The Polar Bear life cycle includes 3 major steps:

Mating (Spring)
1. The Polar Bears start looking for mates as the snow starts to melt.
2. After mating, the eggs don't implant until fall. This phenomenon is calleddelayed implantation.
3. The male takes off on its own after staying with the female for few days.

Denning (Fall & Winter)
1. After feeding in summer, a pregnant female Polar Bear starts looking for a den, where the cubs will be born and nursed till Spring.
2. It builds a den by digging up a snow cave, big enough for he to turn around in. And then waits for the snow to block the entrance to the cave.

Birthing (Winter)
1. The cubs are born in December. One, two or three cubs are born.
2. They stay with their mother in the den. During this time, the mother doesn't eat or drink anything. She nurses her children all the time.

Learn more : Polar Bear Life Cycle

A male Polar Bear becomes capable of breeding at the age of 6 to 10 years.

A female Polar Bear become capable of breeding at the age of 5 to 6 years.

It breeds once every three years.

Its breeding season lasts from late March to mid-July.

After mating, the fertilized egg converts into blastocyst, which floats in the uterus for about four months without any growth.

The growth starts when the blastocyst implants in the uterine wall.

The physical embryo takes four months to develop.

The cubs are born in December due to delayed implantation. This provides time for the female to improve her physical condition, so she can nurse her cubs better.

These cubs are guarded from cold in a den resembling an igloo.

They feed on their mother's milk until late March or April.

The average Polar Bear gestation period is 8 months.

The delayed implantation occurs during this time period.

After mating, the fertilized egg converts into blastocyst, which floats in the uterus for about four months without any growth.

The growth starts after the implantation of blastocyst in the uterine wall.

The physical embryo takes four months to develop.

The cubs are born in December due to delayed implantation. This provides time for the female to improve her physical condition, so she can nurse her cubs better.

After birth, the weight of polar bear cub is about 454 to 680 grams (16-24 oz.). They are approximately 30 cm (12 in.) long.

Females cubs are slightly smaller than males.

Polar Bear cubs are born little and impotent.

Their eyes are closed when they are born.

After birth, their fur is very fine due to which they look hairless.

Polar Bear cubs spend their early childhood days in the den to stay safe and warm. The mother nurses them for 12 to 18 weeks.

The cubs grow quickly in size and weight by feeding on their mother's milk. Within a few months, the newborn cubs are ready to eat food. Their new fur grows in 8 to 10 weeks, but sometimes it takes 14 weeks.

The Polar Bear cubs move out of the den with their mother after 3 or 4 months . Because of their inborn abilities, they quickly learn hunting and survival skills from their mother.

The cubs stay close to "mom" wherever she goes. Once they take their first dip in the ocean, they become acclimated to the water quickly and become good swimmers.

The baby polar bears keenly observe their mother during the hunt and learn all the hunting and survival techniques they will use once they are adults.

Polar Bears don't really hibernate like the brown and black bears.

Female bears hibernate only when they are pregnant.

The pregnant female polar bears dig snow dens when they are about to give birth to their babies.

The female Polar Bears stay readily active inside their dens as they have to nurse their cubs.

They hibernate for three months in these dens and when the cubs are strong enough they come out.

Polar bears are well adapted to swimming.

They can swim throughout the ocean at 10 kph (6 mph) because of their huge webbed paws.

The Polar Bears can usually swim for 160 km (100 miles) continuously.

The Polar Bear is a very strong and courageous mammal.

Its bite force is very large at 1200 pounds per square inch.

It can kill any animal with a single swipe of its paw.

The natural habitat of the Polar Bear is very cold areas.

The areas where it has been spotted in the Northern Hemisphere are:
1. North Pole
2. Ice over the Continental Shelf
3. Archipelagos at the edge of the Polar Basin
4. Arctic Sea Ice
5. Throughout the circumpolar Arctic

The areas where it has been spotted in the Southern Hemisphere are:
1. Southern Labrador
2. Norway
3. Newfoundland
4. Gulf of St. Lawrence (Winter)
5. Bering Sea (Winter)
6. James Bay, Canada (Southern-most)

The Polar Bears' main habitat is on along costs, shore side pack ice, and island of the Arctic region.

Today, over 40 percent of Polar Bears living on pack ice and along shores of the various island of Northern Canada.

There many ice packs in the Arctic Ocean and Sea.

There are many organisms and plankton in the sea which is a rich food source for the Seals.

These Seals live on ice packs and look for food in the sea.

Ultimately, Polar Bears are mostly found near ice packs because they hunt Seals for food.

Polar Bears may stay in the ice packs habitat throughout the year. They prefer the sea ice over all other places.

Sea ice is very important to polar bears. It acts as a platform for them to live, breed, hunt and create maternal dens.

The sea ice is declining at a rate of 4.6% per decade which is threatening a food source for the Polar Bears.

At the southern end, some Polar Bears spend 5 to 6 months on land with no Seals to eat.

This shortage of food has forced the Polar Bears to look for other food sources like:
1. Garbage dumps
2. Human food storage
3. Sled dog yards

However, they are also threatening human life by moving to human communities.

29. What do Polar Bears eat - Polar Bear Diet

Polar Bears are the largest land carnivores in the world.

They feed on:
1. Ringed Seals
2. Bearded Seals
3. Walrus
4. Beluga Whale carcass
5. Bowhead Whale carcass
6. Birds' eggs
7. Vegetation (rare)

They travel very long distances in search of prey.

The fresh water reserves in the Arctic Region are frozen and a Polar Bear can't drink seawater due to health problems it will cause.

It has evolved so it doesn't need to drink water at all.

It gets water from the chemical reactions that break down its body fat.

This is why most of the diet of a Polar Bear comprises of fats.

A Polar Bear exclusively hunts Seals.

It waits for the Seal to come to water surface to breathe.

When the Seal comes to the surface, it attacks the Seal by biting and brings it to land before eating.

Sometimes, when prey isn't available, the Polar Bear eats whale carcasses.

The only predators a Polar Bear has are other Polar Bears and humans.

However, Polar Bear cubs are likely to fall prey to wolves or other carnivores.

Sometimes, newborn cubs are eaten by their mothers or other Polar Bears. This phenomenon is called Cannibalization.

Learn more: What Eats Polar Bear

Polar Bears are currently marked as Vulnerable and their number is decreasing continuously.

The total number of Polar Bears left in the world is 20,000 to 25,000.

Yes Polar Bears are dangerous animals.

They are naturally hunters, as they get their food by hunting Seals and Walruses.

They have been reported to attack humans too.

In 2011, a boy was killed and some other people were injured in Norway.

In the past 20 years, six people have been killed by Polar Bears in Canada.

35. International Polar Bear Day

The Interational Polar Bear day is celebrated on February 27th of every year.

36. Polar Bear Facts for Kids Video

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Polar Bear Facts for Kids - Learn All About Polar Bears - Kidz Feed

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The complete Polar Bear Facts for Kids that will help you learn all about the polar bears. Learn all about polar bears, its scientific classification, physical characteristics, species, eyes, paws, size, weight, height, lifespan, fur, skin color, hibernation, adaptations, life cycle, appearance, habitat, diet, reproduction.

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Check out our awesome range of animal facts for kids and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom.

Fun Polar Bear Facts for Kids

Enjoy our range of fun polar bears facts for kids. Learn what they eat, how much they weigh, where they live, how fast they can run and lots more interesting information. Read on and check out our cool trivia about polar bears.

Polar bears live in the Arctic.

Polar bears have black skin and although their fur appears white, it is actually transparent.

It is the largest carnivore (meat eater) that lives on land.

Polar bears use sea ice as a platform to hunt seals.

Seals make up most of a polar bears diet.

Male polar bears can weigh up to 680 kg (1500 lb).

Female polar bears usually only weigh about half as much as males.

Polar bears spend most of their time at sea.

Scientists estimate that there are around 20000 polar bears.

Polar bears have 42 teeth.

The scientific name for the polar bear is 'ursus maritimus'.

Polar bears keep warm thanks to nearly 10 cm of blubber under the skin.

Polar bears have an excellent sense of smell, with the ability to detect seals nearly a mile away (1.6 km).

Polar bears can reach speeds up to 40 kph (25 mph) on land and 10 kph (6 mph) in water.

The polar bear was the mascot for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada.

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Fun Polar Bear Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Polar Bears

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Check out our awesome range of animal facts for kids and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom. Fun Polar Bear Facts for Kids Enjoy our range of fun polar bears facts for kids. Learn what they eat, how much they weigh, where they live, how fast they can run and lots more interesting information.

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Polar bear facts, pictures, video and in-depth information. The polar bear is the largest and most carnivorous of all bears. This distinctive all-white bear inhabits the Arctic sea ice, where it preys primarily on seals. Despite its size and power, the polar bear is rated 'Vulnerable'. This is largely due to a reduction in the area covered by the Arctic sea ice. Polar bears rely on the sea ice for hunting. When it melts they are unable to eat. On this page you'll become a polar bear expert as you explore the species' amazing adaptations, behavior and life cycle.
Polar Bear Facts At A Glance

Other Name(s): white bear, sea bear

Scientific name: Ursus maritimus

Type of Animal: Mammal, member of the order Carnivora

Animal Family: Ursidae (the bear family)

Where Found: The Arctic

Length: (male) 2.4 to 3 m (7 ft 10 in to 9 ft 10 in); (female) 1.8 to 2.4 m (5 ft 11 in to 7 ft 10 in)

Height: (at shoulder) 122 to 160 cm (4 ft to 5 ft 3 in)

Weight: (male) 350-700 kg (772-1,543 lb); (female) 150-318 kg (331-700 lb)

Polar Bears: Introduction

Found further north than any other species of bear, the polar bear is uniquely adapted to life in the Arctic. In this remote, frozen landscape, the polar bear is the apex predator (i.e. it is at the top of the Arctic food chain).

The polar bear's scientific name is Ursus maritimus, which means sea bear. Polar bears are the only bear species considered to be a marine mammal. Polar bears spend most of their time in or around water. They are excellent swimmers and divers.

One polar bear, which was fitted with a radio collar, was tracked swimming 687 km (427 miles) in a single journey. The bear was at sea for 9 days. Sadly during the journey she lost her cub.

A polar bear can swim underwater for up to 3 minutes.

Polar Bear Facts: Related Animals

The polar bear's closest living relative is the brown bear. There is some overlap in the range of the two species. They occasionally mate, creating brown bear / polar bear hybrids.

Alternative names for grizzly bear (a subspecies of brown bear) / polar bear hybrids include grolar bear and pizzly bear.

Interesting Polar Bear facts

The difference in size between male and female polar bears is proportionally one of the largest of all mammals. Male polar bears are often twice the size of females!

Underneath the polar bear's white coat its skin is black - this helps to absorb heat.

The older a polar bear, the yellower its coat becomes

Whereas most bears are omnivores (i.e. they eat both plants and meat), the polar bear's diet is almost entirely carnivorous. The polar bear is the most carnivorous of all bears.

Polar bears have been seen 25 km (15.5 miles) from the North Pole!

Polar Bear Adaptations

A polar bear's body has a number of adaptations for living in cold Arctic conditions.

A polar bear's fur is the thickest of all bears. The coat is made up of a dense undercoat and a top layer of longer guard hair. This dual-layered coat provides waterproofing, insulation and protection.

Underneath its fur, a polar bear's skin is black. This helps it to absorb heat. A thick layer of fat under the skin provides insulation and buoyancy.

A polar bear has extremely large paws. Reaching up to 12 in (31 cm) in width, they help to spread the bear's weight when it is walking over deep snow or on thin ice. They also provide propulsion when the bear is swimming.

The pads of a polar bear's paws are hairy and covered in small bumps to prevent the bear from slipping.

Acute Sense Of Smell

Like all bears, a polar bear has an acute sense of smell. It can sniff out a seal buried 1m (3ft) in the snow from 1.6 km (1 mile) away)! The polar bear's sense of smell is more developed than its hearing and sight, both of which are similar to those of a human.

How Big Is A Polar Bear?

Polar bears are, on average, the largest members of the bear family. The largest males reach weights of around 450 kg (992 lb), and heights of around 3 m (10 ft.) when standing on their hind legs.

The Kodiak bear, a subspecies of brown bear, occasionally reaches sizes similar to (possibly even larger than) that of a polar bear. However, on average the polar bear is larger.

There is a large difference in size between male and female polar bears, with males often being twice the size of females.

Significant differences in the characteristics of males and females of the same species is known as sexual dimorphism. Polar bears are among the most sexually dimorphic of all mammals; only some pinnipeds (animals such as seals and walruses) exhibit greater sexual dimorphism.

Where Do Polar Bears Live?

Polar bears Polar bears inhabit the ice-covered water of the Arctic, together with the surrounding land and islands. They live further north than any other type of bear. In fact, polar bears have been spotted just 25km (15.5 miles) away from the North Pole!

The furthest south polar bears are known to venture is the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

The countries in which polar bears are found are: the United Sates (Alaska), Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia.

Are There Polar Bears In Alaska?

Yes, there are polar bears in Alaska, as the video below shows! You can find out about polar bears and other Alaskan wildlife here.

Polar Bear Diet: What Do Polar Bears Eat?

Unlike other bears, the polar bear is almost entirely carnivorous. Seals make up the majority of its diet. Other animals, including birds, fish and crustaceans, are also taken, as is carrion.

Occasionally male polar bears will prey on large species such as walruses, narwhals and beluga whales.

What Seals Do Polar Bears Eat?

The seal species most commonly hunted by the polar bear is the ringed seal, followed by the bearded seal. Harp seals and hooded seals are also taken.

Away from the water, the polar bear will occasionally prey on muskoxen and reindeer. Polar bears will also raid garbage tips.

The polar bear does eat some plant matter, including berries and kelp.

Polar Bear Hunting Methods

The hunting technique most often used by the polar bear is known as ' still hunting '.

First, the polar bear will use its acute sense of smell to locate a seal breathing hole . It will then lie in wait for a seal to appear. Bears have been known to wait at the same hole for several hours.

When a seal appears, the bear uses its sharp claws to pull its prey out of the water and onto the ice. The bear will dispatch its prey with a bite to the head.

Polar bears will also stalk and pounce on seals, and dig out infant seals buried in their lairs beneath the snow.

Polar bears often travel large distances in order to find food. Bears that live in areas in which the sea ice melts for part of the year will not not be able to hunt during this time. These bears will live off of their own fat reserves until the ice reappears.

How Fast Can A Polar Bear Run?

Over short distances, a polar bear can run at up to 40 km/h (25 mph). Its usual walking pace is around 5 to 6 km/h (3.1 to 3.7 mph).

Do Polar Bears Hibernate?

Polar bears do not hibernate and are active all year round. In the autumn, pregnant females construct a snow den. They retreat to the den for three months in order to give birth and raise their cubs. In preparation for denning, a female may double her body weight.

A denning female will enter a dormant state, but will not hibernate.

Polar Bear Life Cycle

Polar bears are solitary, nomadic animals. They only come together in order to mate. Mating takes place on the ice during April and May. During this time a male bear, using its acute sense of smell, will seek out a female up to 100 km (60 miles) away.

Often, several males will track the same female. This will result in ferocious fights between the males in order to determine the dominant bear, who will then mate with the female.

Mated couples will stay with one another for around a week. After this time, the male will depart. He will play no further part in the rearing of the young.

Polar bear cubs are born between November and February. The female usually gives birth to two cubs. Newborn polar bear cubs are blind and weigh up to 0.9 kg (2.0 lb.).

The cubs are nursed on their mother's fat-rich milk. By the time they emerge in late March they will weigh around 10 to 15 kilograms (22 to 33 lb.).

The cubs will stay with their mother for two to two and a half years. During this time she will protect them ferociously.

Are Polar Bears Endangered?

Polar bears are currently classified as being ' vulnerable '. Although not immediately endangered, polar bears are still in trouble.

How Many Polar Bears Are Alive?

Is it estimated that there are only around 20,000 polar bears in the wild. If you watch any large sporting event on television it is likely that there will be more people in the crowd than there are polar bears in the whole world!

Why are polar bears endangered?

The biggest threat to polar bears is climate change. The warmer the Earth becomes, the more sea ice melts. Polar bears are reliant on the ice to hunt seals.

Amazing Polar Bears Facts For Kids

It is said that a polar bear covers up its black nose with snow when it is hunting. However, this behavior has never been officially observed!

A polar bear can live up to 25 years in the wild.

The surface of a polar bear's paws are rough to stop them from slipping on the ice.

Polar bears have small ears to conserve heat.

Polar bears clean themselves by rolling around in snow.

Polar bears have 42 teeth.

The fur of a polar bear is water repellent.

Even though they live in very cold conditions, a polar bear can overheat due to its thick fur.

If polar bears get hungry and can't find any seals, they will eat walruses, wales, birds and even reindeer.

If you want to learn about some more amazing animals, check out our Arctic Animals list.

Polar Bear Activities

Pretend that you're an Arctic explorer studying polar bears in the wild. Write a diary of your day following a polar bear. What did it do? Did you see it hunt for seals? Use the facts in this article to help you.

Find out more about how climate change is bad for the polar bear population. Draw a poster to explain the importance of sea ice to polar bears.

Help a polar bear charity such as Polar Bears International.

Polar Bear Facts: Related Pages

Bear Articles

Related Animal Articles

Related pages:

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Polar Bears Facts: Information, Pictures & Video For Kids & Adults

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Polar bear facts, pictures, video and in-depth information. The polar bear is the largest and most carnivorous of all bears. This distinctive all-white bear inhabits the Arctic sea ice, where it preys primarily on seals. Despite its size and power, the polar bear is rated 'Vulnerable'.

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Check out our awesome range of animal facts for kids and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom.

Giant Panda Facts for Kids

Check out our giant panda facts for kids. Learn about panda cubs, where pandas live, what they eat, how much they weigh and much more.

Read on and enjoy a variety of interesting information about pandas.

The giant panda is native to China.

It has a black and white coat that features large black patches around its eyes.

Pandas are an endangered species. Population estimates vary but there may be around 2000 left living in the wild.

A giant panda cub weighs only around 150 grams (5 oz) at birth.

Adult males can weigh up to 150 kg (330 lb).

Giant panda have a lifespan of around 20 years in the wild.

Female pandas raise cubs on their own (the male leaves after mating).

The diet of a panda is made up almost entirely of bamboo.

Giant pandas eat as much as 10 kg (22 lb) of bamboo a day.

Giant pandas are good climbers.

The scientific name for the giant panda is 'ailuropoda melanoleuca'.

An animated movie from 2008 named 'Kung Fu Panda' features a giant panda called 'Po'.

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Giant Panda Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Pandas

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Check out our awesome range of animal facts for kids and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom. Giant Panda Facts for Kids Check out our giant panda facts for kids. Learn about panda cubs, where pandas live, what they eat, how much they weigh and much more.

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For a long time, scientists weren't sure if giant pandas were bears or perhaps more closely related to raccoons. Now we know that giant pandas are indeed members of the bear family, similar to other bears in their general looks and the way they walk and climb.

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Brown bears are brown, right? Well, maybe! They come in all sizes and shades, from a light cream color to almost black. Grizzly bears are a type of brown bear, but not all brown bears are grizzlies! Brown bears can be found in northwestern North America, northern Asia, Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East.

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For such a big animal, polar bears sure start out small! A cub is about the size of a stick of butter when it is born. It is born hairless, with its eyes closed. Milk from polar bear mothers is 35 percent fat; this helps the cubs grow quickly.

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Panda is an amazing animal and it has always been fascinating for kids. We have gathered some amazing Giant Panda Facts for Kids which will not only fascinate them but will also let them learn all about Pandas. Panda is also known as Giant Panda. They are members of the bear family. They are native to South Central China. We can distinguish them from bears by the large, typical black patches across their eyes, over the ears, and around their round bodies. Their black and white fur is thick and coarse. It helps them adapt to cold temperatures. They are also called bamboo bears and white bears.

Giant Panda Facts For Kids

What is a Panda?

A panda is a huge mammal similar and closely related to the Bear.

It is considered a true bear.

It is easily recognizable due to the black and white patches of fur all over its body.

The fur around their eyes, ears, and feet is black. The rest of its fur is white.

It is native to the mountains and forests in South Central China.

What kind of animal is a Panda?

Panda belongs to the Ursidae (Family of Bears).

It is a wild animal.

It is carnivorous like other bears, but over 99% of its diet is dependent on bamboo.

A Panda is a primitive bear. It has an extended wrist bone that acts like a thumb.

This thumb allows it to cling to bamboo trees, unlike other bears.

They were endangered once, but now the number of pandas has increased. However, they are still vulnerable to extinction.

Panda Bear Scientific Name

The Scientific name of Panda Bear is Ailuropoda Melanoleuca.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom | Animalia
Phylum | Chordate
Class | Mammalia
Order | Carnivore
Suborder | Caniformia
Family | Ursidae
Genus | Ailuropoda
Species | Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Are Pandas Bears?

Yes, Pandas are bears.

They belong to the family of bears (Ursidae).

They are considered primitive bears.

Panda Species – How many Species of Pandas are there?

There are two subspecies of the Giant Panda:

Ailuropoda melanoleuca (nominate subspecies)

A. m. qinlingensis (Qinling Panda)

The Ailuropoda melanoleuca is the original sub-species of the Giant Panda. It is the one with black and white color patches over its body.

The A. m. qinlingensis is the Qinling Panda.

It is confined to the Qinling Mountains in China.

The Qinling Panda has dark brown and light brown color patches instead of black and white patches.

It has a smaller skull size and bigger molars.

Giant Panda Characteristics

A male Panda is called a Boar and a female Panda is called Sows.

A male Panda weighs about 175-250 pounds and a female Panda weighs about 150-230 pounds.

It can grow up to a length of 1.2 to 1.9 meters.

The shoulder height of a Panda is 0.5 to 0.8 meters.

The average lifespan of a Panda is 20 years.

Its paw has five fingers and a thumb.

It has strong teeth and a powerful jaw to crush and grind bamboo.

It has a very good memory of geographical locations.

It has great senses of hearing and smell, but its eyesight is very poor.

A female Giant Panda likes to stay alone and shows territorial behavior. It will aggressively defend its territory.

A male Giant Panda isn’t territorial at all.

Why do Pandas have Black Eyes?

Pandas have black patches around their eyes for a very important reason.

These patches may enable the pandas to recognize other pandas.

Pandas have a very good memory. They can memorize the black patterns around the eyes of other pandas and ultimately recognize them later.

Why Are Pandas Black and White?

The black and white fur of the Panda acts as a camouflage in different environments.

The white fur helps it in hiding in snowy areas.

The black fur helps it in hiding in shadows.

The black fur on and around its ears is a sign of aggression to ward off predators.

How Big are Giant pandas – Giant Panda Size

How Tall are Pandas

A Panda can grow up to a length of 1.2 to 1.9 meters.

Its shoulder height ranges from 0.5 to 0.8 meters.

A Panda measures 3 to 4 meters when it stands up on its hind legs.

How much does a Panda Weigh – Giant Panda Weight

A male Panda weighs about 90-135 kg and a female Panda weighs about 70-100 kg.

A fully grown panda can weigh a maximum of up to 136 kg.

Panda Life Cycle

The life cycle of a Giant Panda is given as:

Newborn (0-4 months)

Cubhood (4-24 months)

Independence (1.5/2 years) (Female/Male)

Maturity (4/6 years) (Female/Male)

Giant Panda Behavior

Panda is a timid animal. It likes to keep to itself and stays away from people.

It is a good tree-climber and is often found on bamboo trees eating bamboo.

It doesn’t hibernate like other bears.

It spends 12 hours a day eating bamboo and sleeps for the rest of the 12 hours.

Male Pandas aren’t territorial, while the female Pandas are highly aggressive in defending their territory.

Life of Panda

The life of a Panda has four stages:

1. Newborn

• A newborn Panda is very tiny and pink in color.
• Its mother cradles it in her paw for many days without a break.
• It develops its fur within a month after birth.
• It starts crawling 3 months after birth.

2. Cubhood

• A Panda cub starts feeding on bamboo at 6 months of age.
• It gets accustomed to eating bamboo at 9 months of age.
• It is still defenseless and has to stay with its mother at the den.
• It weighs 45 at the age of 1 year.

3. Independence

• A cub stays with its mother for 1.5 to 2 years.
• It leaves its mother during this period if she conceives.
• It grows to full size at 4 years of age.

4. Maturity

• A Giant Panda becomes fully mature at the age of 4 to 6 years.
• A female Panda can start breeding at 4 years of age.
• A male Panda can start breeding at 6 years of age.
• Female Pandas are fertile only for 3-4 days once a year, every spring.
• After mating, female pandas leave the males and rear their cubs alone.
• A female Panda bears one cub after every 2-3 years from an age of 4 to 16.

What do Pandas Like to do? – Giant Panda Habits

Pandas like to spend their time alone.

Their favorite food is bamboo.

They like to climb trees and eat bamboo.

They spend one half of their day eating and the other half sleeping.

Are Pandas Mean?

Pandas are solitary and very peaceful animals.

They like to spend their time alone. However, their defense is very strong.

They will probably attack if provoked by anyone.

They have very strong teeth and powerful jaws for delivering a nasty bite.

How long do Pandas Live

Panda Life Span in Wild

The average lifespan of a Giant Panda in the wild is about 20 years.

How Long do Pandas Live in Captivity

Pandas can live up to 30 years if they are kept under special care and diet in captivity.

What do Pandas Eat – Giant Panda Diet

Pandas are naturally carnivorous, however, more than 99% of the diet of a Panda depends upon bamboo.

It eats only the most nutritious parts of the bamboo.

Sometimes they will eat other plants, rodents, and birds to keep their nutrition balanced.

How much do Pandas Eat?

The average Giant Panda consumes as much as 9 to 14 kilograms of bamboo shoots a day.

Giant panda drinks water at least once a day.

Panda Bear Teeth

A Panda has very strong teeth and a powerful jawbone to help them grind and crunch bamboo.

It uses its teeth to peel off the hard outer layer of a bamboo stalk and eat the inner tissues.

Its teeth also act as strong defense weapons when it comes to attacking a predator.

Panda Breeding – Panda Reproduction

The mating season is during spring, March-May.

After mating, the female panda leaves its partner and rears the cubs on its own.

After giving birth, the mother panda does not leave the den, not even to eat or drink. She stays in the den for several days.

The panda cubs stay with their mother for 1.5 to 2 years before venturing off on their own.

Giant pandas reach adulthood between the ages of four and six. Female pandas can reproduce until the age of 16.

Pandas do not mate in captivity. Scientists use artificial insemination for their reproduction.

Baby Giant Panda – Baby Panda Facts

A baby panda is called a cub or rookie.

It is born pink.

It weighs about 3-4 ounces and measures about 15 cm.

It is born with its eyes shut. It opens its eyes in about 6-8 weeks.

It is born without hair. When it is about 3 months old, its hair fully grows.

It is klutzy. It often falls, trips, and rolls over while exploring its surroundings.

A mother Panda cradles her babies in her arm for several days after birth.

A baby panda can climb trees seven months after its birth.

How many Babies can a Panda give Birth to

Female pandas give birth to one or two rookies (panda babies) every 2-3 years. Thus, the normal reproductive rate is one cub every 2-3 years.

Where do Giant Pandas Live – Giant Panda Habitat Facts

Panda lives in large bamboo forests.

Its habitat is usually humid and high mountains.

They live in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu provinces, and the mountainous eastern edge of West China.

Sichuan province has the highest number of living pandas. Thus, Sichuan is also called the home of giant pandas.

Giant Panda Range

Giant pandas are found in high mountains that are about 4000 to 10000 feet above sea level i.e. 1200 to 3100 meters.

There are around 1,800 giant pandas in China that live in over an area of 20,000 square kilometers i.e. around 8,000 square miles of habitat.

Image source: https://www.chinahighlights.com/giant-panda/habitat.htm

Why do Pandas only live in China?

Wild Pandas are only found in the remote mountainous regions of Central China.

There are wet and cool bamboo forests in these areas of China that are sufficient to fulfill the Giant Panda’s all needs.

Some Pandas are living in zoos outside of China, but they are fed manually by the zookeepers.

Panda Habitat Climate

Pandas require bamboo trees to feed and live.

Thus, Pandas are found in bamboo forests.

Bamboo requires a wet and cool climate to grow.

So, the climate of a Panda’s habitat is wet and cool.

What Animals Eat Pandas – Giant Panda Predators

A fully grown Panda has no predators at all, however, some animals can prey on Panda cubs.

A Panda cub is helpless when it comes to self-defense.

Jackals, Snow Leopards, and Yellow-Throated Martens are capable of hunting panda cubs.

Giant Panda Adaptations

The Giant Panda has several adaptations that enable it to survive in its living conditions.

The most important adaptation is the “thumb” on its paw along with the five other fingers. This thumb lets the Panda hold the bamboo better for eating. This thumb is an extension of the wrist bone.

The large head of the Giant Panda is also an adaptation to eating bamboo. Bamboo has a very hard outer layer which requires a powerful jaw to be chewed. Its head is very large compared to other bears and has very powerful jaw muscles.

The large molars of the Giant Panda are another adaptation to eating bamboo. It has very large and smooth molars which are used to chew tobacco. While other bears use canines to hunt and kill.

The Giant Panda has a different digestive system than other bears. It is a special digestive system designed specifically for digesting bamboo. The Giant Panda has developed a very strong esophagus and stomach muscles, so they don’t tear apart due to bamboo shards. Also, its intestines are shorter than other bears and colons are larger. The bamboo passes straight through the body.

Giant Panda Endangered

Giant Pandas were endangered once but now aren’t endangered anymore.

They are still classified as “vulnerable” on the global list of species at the risk of extinction.

1,864 Pandas are living in the wild in China. And 100 Pandas live around the world in zoos.

Why Pandas are Endangered? – Giant Panda Threats

The main reason behind the endangerment of Pandas is habitat destruction.

The forests in China are being replaced by developmental projects due to the growth of the human population.

This is destroying the bamboo forests and pushing the Pandas into smaller and smaller habitats.

We must stop destroying the forests, otherwise, there will be no bamboo forests left and ultimately Pandas will go extinct due to lack of food.

How many Pandas are Left – Panda Population

1,864 Pandas are living in the wild in China. And 100 Pandas live around the world in zoos.

How many Giant Pandas Die each Year?

There is no information regarding the exact number of deaths per year related to Pandas.

Panda Population Graph

Giant Panda Conservation – Giant Panda Protection

Pandas species are eight million old as compared to humans which are only two million years old, this makes them living fossils.

Giant Pandas have been recognized as an international treasure and have been under protection since the 1950s.

It is protected by China’s Wildlife Protection Law at national, provincial, and local levels.

Under this law, poachers and smugglers of Giant Panda are rewarded with the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Many natural reserves are now protecting giant pandas and The Wolong National Nature Reserve located in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, in China, is the most famous giant panda reserve.

It has been recognized as China’s largest panda research institution that has been very successful in protecting pandas.

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Giant Panda Facts For Kids - Learn All About Pandas

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Complete Giant Panda Facts For Kids. Learn all about Pandas now, its scientific classification, species, characteristics, size, weight, height, diet, habitat, life cycle, habits, reproduction, predators, adaptations & threats.

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Of all the bears, giant pandas are probably the most loved. These slow, peaceful animals have rounded faces and almost look like they're smiling. Pandas live in the mountains and forests of China. Chinese people have loved them for thousands of years.

There are only 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. They are the most endangered animal in the world. Pandas eat mostly bamboo, which grows slowly. If the bamboo runs out, the pandas starve. There are many people in China. It is crowded. Pandas are running out of room to live. But, scientists are helping the pandas.

Fun Facts about Giant Pandas for Kids

Giant pandas don't hibernate or live in dens. They live in trees or caves.

Chinese emperors kept pandas as pets. Ancient Chinese thought giant pandas could keep bad spirits away. They thought pandas were magical.

Giant pandas eat mostly bamboo, instead of meat. Bamboo is a small, woody plant or tree. Pandas have strong jaws for chewing this tough food. Sometimes pandas eat small mammals, lizards or bugs.

Pandas spend up to 12 hours each day eating bamboo. They can eat 80 pounds of bamboo in one day.

Giant pandas have thick fur to keep them warm.

Panda moms usually have only one baby at a time. Sometimes they have twins. Taking care of baby pandas is hard work. They are helpless. They are blind for almost two months.

Giant Panda Vocabulary

Learn More All About Giant Pandas

Check out this cute playful video all about giant pandas:

A news clip of a baby panda's first encounter with snow at the San Diego Zoo.

Giant Panda Q&A

Question: Do giant pandas roar like other bears?

Answer: Giant pandas make a bleating sound like a sheep or goat. Sometimes they growl or huff, but they don't usually have loud roars.

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Question: Do panda bears stay in one place?

Answer: Panda bears in the wild move from place to place looking for food.

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Question: Can pandas do kung fu?

Answer: No, pandas aren't really kung fu masters, but they are very flexible. They like to wrestle and roll around. They can even do somersaults.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Giant Pandas info? Take the FREE & fun all about Giant Pandas quiz and download FREE Giant Pandas worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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Of all the bears, giant pandas are probably the most loved. These slow, peaceful animals have rounded faces and almost look like they're smiling. Pandas live in the mountains and forests of China. Chinese people have loved them for thousands of years. There are only 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild.

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biokids
bearlife
bearlife
sandiegozoo

# data[].attributes.body
go red dragons
d r a g o n s