Polar Bear

Ursus maritimusLucas Oseguera

Scientific Classification

• Domain: Eukarya• Kingdom: Animalia• Phylum: Chordata• Class: Mammalia• Order: Carnivora• Family: Ursidae• Genus: Ursus• Species: U. maritimus

Polar Bear Facts

• Polar Bears are one of the largest predators in the world.

• The World Conservation Union estimates 20,000-25,000 polar bears populate the world.

• Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland and Norway have polar bear populations.

• Highly dependant on older stable pack ice in the arctic region.

Endangered Species

• The polar bear was listed as a threatened species on May 14, 2008.

• Polar bears are threatened with extinction from global warming.

• The Arctic sea ice is where polar bears hunt for ringed and bearded seals, their primary food source, but the ice has been melting due to Global Warming.

How long will they last?

• In May 2006, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature added the polar bear to its “Red List” of the world’s most dangered animals, predicting a 30% reduction in the polar bear population in the next 45 years.

Bibliography"Polar Bear - Defenders of Wildlife." Defenders of Wildlife -

Protection of endangered species, imperiled species, habitats. 17 Sep. 2009 <http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/polar_bear.php>.

"File:Polar Bear 2004-11-15.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 17 Sep. 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Polar_Bear_2004-11-15.jpg>.

"Taxonomy." BioWeb Home. 23 Sep. 2009 <http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/kolinski_alis/classification.htm>.