Context:
A new study establishes a link between greenhouse gases and polar bear survival
About polar bear:
- The largest bear in the world and the Arctic’s top predator
- The largest and most powerful carnivore on land
- It has no natural predators
- Habitats – Arctic Ocean, sea ice, and adjacent coastal areas
- Primary prey – seals
- They have a thick layer of body fat and a water-repellent coat that insulates them from the cold air and water.
- Interesting Facts:
- Black skin
- Transparent fur
- Blue tongue
- Polar bears are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the overall health of the marine environment
- Solitary species
- IUCN status – Vulnerable
- Threats –
- Loss of sea ice habitat from climate change
- lethal response to human-polar bear conflict
- toxic pollution in the environment
- contact with oil spills
- potential overhunting
Read about species in the news
Source: The Hindu
Previous year question
Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Fishing cat
(b) Orangutan
(c) Otter
(d) Sloth bear
Answer: B
