Ours blanc                                       Green : the borealie

Ursus maritimus                             Red : actual distribution

Order : Carnivora

Family : Ursidae

Diet : Carnivorous, feeding on seals (principally ringed seals), fish, small mammals, birds, marine invertebrates, eggs and carrion. It also eats berries and seaweed.

Reproduction : Females are sexually mature at 4 to 5 years and males at 5 to 6 years. Mating occurs between late February and early June. The 2 cubs are born between late November and January after a delayed implantation (5-7 months) followed by an active gestation period of 2 months, and are weaned after about 1½ years.

Longevity : Up to 20 years in the wild and 40 years in captivity.

Predators : No natural predator, except occasionally taken by killer whales.

Status : Protected, but remains of concern because of the deterioration of its habitat due to global warming