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The scientific name of Polar bears is Ursus maritimus. Polar bears are one of the largest bear species existing today. Polar bears are also considered one of the largest extant carnivores at this point. Adult male polar bears generally weigh anywhere between 350 to 700 kgs. Polar bears usually spend the most time on sea ice, which also is one of the major reasons why their species has “maritimus” as the scientific name (i.e., “maritime bear”). Since polar bears are highly sea-ice dependent, they are typically classified as “marine mammals.” Their primary prey are seals, especially Erignathus barbatus which are the bearded seals.
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Key Terms: Polar Bears, Terrestrial animals, Ursus maritimus, Erignathus barbatus, Kingdom, Phylum, Carnivore
Scientific Name of Polar Bears
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Polar bears are one of the largest species of bears existing on today’s date.
- Polar bears are also the largest existing carnivore that adult males weighing anywhere between 350 to 700 kgs.
- Polar bears are tyically born on land and should be terrestrial animals, but they usually spend most of their time out on the sea ice.
- The scientific name of Polar bear is Ursus maritimus.
- Polar Bears are part of the Ursidae family and are considered mammals.
- Usually found in both hemispheres, polar bears are carnivores but also consume fruits and leaves.
- There are several varieties of bears that are also seen to consume bamboo shoots, considering it is their 99% diet.
- Some other varieties of polar bears also consume termites and ants.
- The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a typical hypercarnivorous bear native that belongs to the Arctic Circle (including the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and adjacent land.) They are considered the country's leading bear species, alongside world's largest ground carnivore.
Species of Bears
There are about eight species of bears right now:
- Giant panda: Ailuropoda melanoleuca
- Spectacled bear: Tremarctos ornatus
- Polar bear: Ursus maritimus
- Asian black bear: Ursus thibetanus
- American black bear: Ursus americanus
- Brown bear: Ursus arctos
- Sloth bear: Melursus ursinus
- Sun bear: Helarctos malayanus
Classification of Polar Bears
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Polar bears can be classified as:
| Type | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Ursidae |
Habitat of Polar Bears
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Polar bears spend most of their time in sea, hence they are polar bear is classified as marine mammals.
- Polar bears are marine mammals with strong, large limbs and toes that enable walking and running for kilometres on land.
- The annual sea ice which usually covers the water from the respective continental shelf and the Arctic inter-island archipelagos is considered one of the favoured habitats.
- In order to hunt seals which cover the majority of its diet, the polar bear prefers areas whereby sea ice reaches water, including polynyas and leads (temporary stretches of open water in Arctic ice).
Hunting and Diet of Polar Bears
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Polar bears top the list of the carnivorous family of bear and usually eats ringed (Pusa hispida) and bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus). Hundreds of seals live in the Arctic and become prey to polar bears. Still-hunting is considered one of the most popular polar bear targeting procedure.
Usually, Still-hunting is when bears sense the presence of seals and crouches nearby. Bears typically wait for numerous hours and sense a seal’s breath. Polar bears hunt seals typically by waiting near the breathing holes of sea ice. It kills seals by crushing their head. The method of Still-hunting is thus very popular and common in polar bears.
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Things to Remember
- The scientific name of Polar bears is Ursus maritimus.
- Polar bears are one of the largest extant carnivore at this point.
- The primary prey of polar bears are seals, especially Erignathus barbatus (bearded seals).
- Polar bears belong to the family of Ursidae.
Previous Year Questions
- Edaphology is… (KCET 2007)
- Read the statements given below and identify the incorrect statement… (KCET 2012)
- Which one of the following is oviparous?... (NEET 2015)
- Which one of the following statements about certain given animals is correct?... (NEET 2010)
- Which of the following organisms possesses characteristics of a plant and an animal? (NEET 1995)
- Which of the following taxonomic categories of housefly is… (KEAM)
- Bladderworm/cysticercus is the larval stage of… (NEET 1991)
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the scientific name of Polar bears? (1 mark)
Ans. The scientific name of Polar bears is Ursus Maritimus.
Ques. How do polar bears hunt? (1 mark)
Ans. Polar bears hunt their prey by a method called Still-hunting,
Ques. How do polar bears hunt through still-hunting? (2 marks)
Ans. Polar bears hunt seals typically by waiting near the breathing holes of sea ice. After sensing a smell near, it paws inside and drag the seal out. It kills the seal by crushing its skull.
Ques. Which family does polar bears belong to? (1 mark)
Ans. Polar bears typically belong to the family of Ursidae.
Ques. Which animal does polar bear generally hunt? (1 mark)
Ans. The main prey of polar bears are seals, especially the Erignathus barbatus (bearded seals).
Ques. Name three species of bears. (3 marks)
Ans. The three species of bears are:
- Giant panda: Ailuropoda melanoleuca
- Spectacled bear: Tremarctos ornatus
- Polar bear: Ursus maritimus
Ques. What is the diet of polar bears? (2 marks)
Ans. Polar bears are carnivores but also typically consume fruits and leaves from time to time. There are many varieties of bears that consume bamboo shoots, considering it is their 99% diet.
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