The World of Polar Bears

Senses

A. Hearing

A polar bear’s hearing is probably as sensitive as human hearing. Humans can hear sounds with frequencies as low as 0.02 kHz and as high as 20 kHz.

B. Eyesight

The eyesight of polar bears appears to be similar to human’s. Polar bears have a protective membrane over their eyes, that may help shield the eyes from ultraviolet light.

C. Tactile

Little is known about a polar bear’s sense of touch; however, polar bears have been observed delicately moving or touching objects with the nose, tongue, and claws.

D. Taste

Polar bears prefer certain foods, but researchers don’t know how acute the sense of taste is or how important it is in food preference.

E. Smell

A polar bear’s sense of smell is acute, and it is the most important sense for detecting prey on land. A polar bear can smell a seal more than 32 km (20 mi.) away (Domico, 1988).

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Sinne

A. Hörfähigkeit Die Hörfähigkeit des Eisbären ist vermutlich so sensibel wie die Menschliche. Menschen können Töne wahrnehmen, deren Frequenzen zwischen 0,02 kHz und 20 kHz liegen. B. Sehvermögen Das Sehvermögen des Eisb ...

Physical Characteristics

A. Size Polar bears are the largest land carnivore. Male polar bears (boars) grow two to three times the size of female polar bears (sows). Boars weigh about 350 to more than 650 kg (772-1,433 lb.) and are about 2.5 to 3 m (8.2-9. ...

Habitat und Distribution

A. Distribution Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic. Polar bears, or their tracks, have been reported almost as far north as the pole; however, scientists believe few bears frequent areas north of 82 north lati ...