Flashcards:
Card 1: What is the scientific name for the polar bear?
Answer: The scientific name for the polar bear is Ursus maritimus.
Hint: The second word means 'maritime' or 'of the sea' in Latin.
Card 2: Where do polar bears primarily live?
Answer: Polar bears primarily live in the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding seas and land masses.
Hint: Think of the coldest areas on Earth near the North Pole.
Card 3: What is the primary diet of a polar bear?
Answer: The primary diet of a polar bear consists mainly of seals.
Hint: Polar bears are carnivorous and hunt in icy environments.
Card 4: How are polar bears adapted to live in cold environments?
Answer: Polar bears are adapted to live in cold environments through their thick fur, a layer of fat called blubber, and black skin which absorbs heat.
Hint: Consider the physical adaptations needed to survive in extremely cold temperatures.
Card 5: What is the average lifespan of a polar bear in the wild?
Answer: The average lifespan of a polar bear in the wild is about 15 to 18 years.
Hint: This is shorter than the average human lifespan.
Card 6: How does global warming affect polar bears?
Answer: Global warming affects polar bears by melting the sea ice they depend on for hunting and travelling, leading to malnutrition and decreased reproductive rates.
Hint: Think about the impact of melting ice in the Arctic.
Card 7: What is the average weight of a male polar bear?
Answer: The average weight of a male polar bear is around 900 to 1600 pounds.
Hint: Male polar bears are significantly larger than females.
Card 8: Are polar bears solitary or social animals?
Answer: Polar bears are generally solitary animals, although they can be seen in groups during mating season or at abundant food sources.
Hint: Think about how polar bears behave in the wild.
Card 9: How do polar bears hunt for food?
Answer: Polar bears primarily hunt by still-hunting, where they wait beside a seal's breathing hole in the ice until the seal surfaces to breathe, then they grab and eat it.
Hint: Polar bears hunt in a way that is unique to their icy habitat.
Card 10: What is the conservation status of polar bears?
Answer: The conservation status of polar bears is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Hint: This is due to the threats they face from climate change and loss of sea ice habitat.