Polar Bears and Climate Change

Question 1

True or False: Canada homes 2/3 of polar bears in the world.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Why do polar bears fast for ~ 4 months?

Answer 2

When they are on shore (June and July) they will conserve energy because they are not eating anything. They are losing almost 1kg per day.

Question 3

How do polar bears depend on sea ice?

Answer 3

– Platform to hunt and feed upon seals
– Habitat on which they seek out mates and breed
– Access to terrestrial maternity dens
– Long distance travel

Question 4

True or False: Only the females could be collared because male polar bears have a slender tapered neck, so their collars would just slide off.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What is a negative effect of climate change on polar bears that is not commonly known?

Answer 5

Melting permafrost due to climate change and increased forest fires as well as rain during late winter may cause polar bear maternity to collapse, potentially killing occupants

Question 6

What are some effects of climate change on polar bears?

Answer 6

• Melting sea ice (Where they spend most of their time and receive food)
• Forest Fires (Ruined dens for hibernation
• Increased period of fasting between formation of sea ice