Every month, our museum visitors choose an exhibit that made the biggest impression on them. The exhibit they chose for December was Polar Bears.

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a large bear that lives in the Arctic regions. It is found in Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland and Norway. Standing over 3 meters tall, males often weigh over 750 kilograms and females around 250 kilograms. It has adapted very well to its environment: its fur and the thick layer of fat beneath it protect it from the cold, while its white coat makes it indistinguishable to its enemies and prey. It eats 20 kilos of food in an hour. The polar bear hunts on land, ice and in the water. It feeds mainly on seals, other animals and fish. It mates every 3 months. 

In May 2008, the US government listed the Alaskan polar bear as an endangered species. 

In March, polar bears emerge from their dens with their newborn cubs. This magical moment reveals the strong bond between mother and cub, the only social structure known among these otherwise solitary animals. 

Daily life for a young bear is full of play: chasing, wrestling, cuddling and sleeping with her cub. When a cub has no siblings, this bond becomes even stronger, as the mother devotes all her time and care to her only cub.

Credits: National Geographic Animals

Daisy Gilardini Photography


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