Reproduction
Male polar bears reach sexual maturity at the age of six, and females at five years of age. Breeding takes place between March and June on sea ice. Males and females locate each other by congregating in the best seal hunting grounds. Competition between males is fierce, and males commonly fight over female mates. For this reason most males don't mate until they are 8-10 years old.
Polar bears are induced ovulators, which means that that an egg is released from the ovaries during mating. This doesn't happen the first time mating, so Polar Bears stay with their partner for around a week, mating repeatedly. During this time, the egg is fertilized by the sperm. Male polar bears are able to mate several times during the mating season.
Once the egg has been fertilized, it remains in a suspended state until around September when the ice floes break up. During this time the female eats copious amounts of food, often increasing body weight by around 200 kg. When the ice floes break up, and hunting becomes impossible, the female bear digs a maternity den which leads to one to three chambers. During the time in the den the female goes into a dormant, hibernation like state. The temperature does not decrease in her body, however the heart rate does. Usually one or two cubs are born between November and February, and the family remains in the den until around April.
Females generally mate once every three years, however males attempt to mate every year.
Polar bears are induced ovulators, which means that that an egg is released from the ovaries during mating. This doesn't happen the first time mating, so Polar Bears stay with their partner for around a week, mating repeatedly. During this time, the egg is fertilized by the sperm. Male polar bears are able to mate several times during the mating season.
Once the egg has been fertilized, it remains in a suspended state until around September when the ice floes break up. During this time the female eats copious amounts of food, often increasing body weight by around 200 kg. When the ice floes break up, and hunting becomes impossible, the female bear digs a maternity den which leads to one to three chambers. During the time in the den the female goes into a dormant, hibernation like state. The temperature does not decrease in her body, however the heart rate does. Usually one or two cubs are born between November and February, and the family remains in the den until around April.
Females generally mate once every three years, however males attempt to mate every year.