Abiotic and Biotic Relations
The major abiotic factors that affect polar bears are the cold, snow and water. The extreme cold in the Arctic region that the polar bear inhabits means that it has adapted in several ways. The polar bears have grown long, thick fur and have a thick layer of blubber just under the skin. They also have small ears and tails, which reduces the loss of cold through these areas.
Polar bears have clear fur which reflects the colour of the snow. This means that they are camouflaged against the snow. They also have bristly hairs on their paws which assists them in moving through the snow.
Since the polar bear is a marine mammal, they are adapted for a life of swimming. Their nostrils can close, which prevents water from entering them. The fur of a polar bear flattens down when swimming which forms a waterproof barrier, and the layer of blubber means that they are not affected by the extreme cold. Their legs are strong and their paws are streamlined which enables them to swim through water easily. For the same reason, their skulls are thinner and narrower than other bears.
A polar bear hunts mostly seals as prey. They have no predators, as they are the top of the food chain in their natural environment. The polar bears have powerful jaws which enable them to easily crush the heads of the seals.
As polar bears do not always completely eat their kills, some animals such as foxes and gulls scavenge off the partly eaten kills. A polar bear does not have any competitors, as they are the chief predators in the natural environment. The only competition they face is from humans.
The main parasite that affects polar bears is called Trichinella. It is a nematode parasite that spreads by polar bears eating infected animals. Once infected, it commonly leads to heart failure and death.
Polar bears have clear fur which reflects the colour of the snow. This means that they are camouflaged against the snow. They also have bristly hairs on their paws which assists them in moving through the snow.
Since the polar bear is a marine mammal, they are adapted for a life of swimming. Their nostrils can close, which prevents water from entering them. The fur of a polar bear flattens down when swimming which forms a waterproof barrier, and the layer of blubber means that they are not affected by the extreme cold. Their legs are strong and their paws are streamlined which enables them to swim through water easily. For the same reason, their skulls are thinner and narrower than other bears.
A polar bear hunts mostly seals as prey. They have no predators, as they are the top of the food chain in their natural environment. The polar bears have powerful jaws which enable them to easily crush the heads of the seals.
As polar bears do not always completely eat their kills, some animals such as foxes and gulls scavenge off the partly eaten kills. A polar bear does not have any competitors, as they are the chief predators in the natural environment. The only competition they face is from humans.
The main parasite that affects polar bears is called Trichinella. It is a nematode parasite that spreads by polar bears eating infected animals. Once infected, it commonly leads to heart failure and death.