Habitat
Polar bears live around and within the Arctic Circle, on icy terrain surrounded by large bodies of open water. Finding food is difficult in the harsh Arctic environment, so polar bear has the ability to slow down its metabolism to conserve its energy after 7 to 10 days of being unable to find food, it can sustain this state until food becomes available again.
Most of the polar bears live near the Arctic circle, but some can be found in Northern Ontario, near the edge of James Bay and Hudson's Bay area. These polar bears that live more southerly come out only in the winter when ice is form over the water surface, so they can hunt. When summer comes, and the ice melts, the polar bears are forced into land and to live on fat until it is winter again. Some polar bears are even found in some rural communities trying to find food. This threatens both humans and polar bear. Churchill, Manitoba is referred to as "The Polar Bear Capital of the World". It is a place where people can observe Polar bears in the wild.
Other than Canada, Polar bears can also be found in Alaska (USA) , Northern Russia, Greenland and Norway.
Other than Canada, Polar bears can also be found in Alaska (USA) , Northern Russia, Greenland and Norway.
Niche
Polar bears are apex predators in the Arctic food chain. They have no predators as they don't fear humans also. So being on the top of the food chain is really important. They keep the rest of the food chain in control. Polar bears can hunt both on ice and in the water, their main prey are ringed seals, walruses, sometimes belugas, narwhals and other types of seals. As the polar bears start to decline, the rest of the food chain could start growing uncontrollably.