Polar Bears: Outline

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Polar Bears I. Introduction a. Polar bears have lived in extremely harsh conditions, and with global warming made their way to being endangered. Polar bears have opened eyes on how we see extreme weather and how to survive in it. i. Body of bear, what they eat, where they find shelter II. Body of polar bear a. How bodies react to swimming/running i. can handle -40 degree to -990 degree in winter, up to 77 degrees in summer ii. can swim average of 6 mph, 100 miles at a time. iii. Can quickly overheat when running, so they often walk at a leisurely pace iv. Partially webbed toes b. Weight i. females weigh between 500-600 pounds ii. males weigh up to or over 1,400 pounds iii. polar bear cubs weigh 1-2 pounds when they are born c. Body attributes i. Fur isn’t white, its transparent and reflects sunlight which helps trap heat ii. Fur is oily and water repellant to shake dry in one shake iii. Claws measure up to 2 inches for traction on ice & catching prey iv. Have black skin which is a layer of fat, but fur keeps them warm, and prevents most heat loss. v. Cubs are 12-14 inches long

III. What polar bears eat, how they find it, and capture it.

a. What they eat. i. In desperate times, if available, berries, mussels, kelp, bird eggs, and geese. ii. Most often available, ringed seals, beached whales, and walruses. b. How they find and capture it. i. They will find their prey by walking on floating sheets of ice, where seals create 10-15 holes and surface every 5-15 minutes. ii. They wait for the seals, for hours, sometimes days, until they come up to breathe. iii. In winter they will walk on the ice, but in summer they will wait on shore for them. iv. They depend on the ice for their main prey. c. Capturing and sharing. i. If one bear owns carcass, others must beg in order to share the meal. ii. Low approach, slow circle around carcass, touching nose to bear owners nose. iii. Use their claws to help catch and hold their prey.

IV. Homes, where they live, how they keep warm. a. Attributes to home. i. Dens are 30-50 feet long. ii. Have multiple rooms. iii. In Winter, faced so polar bear’s side/back is to the wind.

V. Conclusion
a. Restate thesis.