Do bears live at the South Pole. Where do polar bears and penguins live? Features of the seasonal behavior of penguins
Decided to resolve two well-known issues. Many people who have not delved into the details often get confused and say that there are penguins in Antarctica, and polar bears in Antarctica. In reality, the nature of Antarctica is poorer. rich undersea world, and on land the kingdom of birds, and sometimes pinnipeds crawl out onto the ice to rest. If a polar bear had been brought in for acclimatization, it would have settled down well here, but the number of penguins would have significantly decreased - they find salvation on land, and now they will not have shelter. Many are concerned about the question - can it live without ice?
Of course yes! Only its population will be significantly reduced. On the coast of Hudson Bay, in the province of Manitoba, Canada, a colony of polar bears was discovered in the 60s of the last century. Most they spend time in the ice, hunting for seals, but when the ice melts, they go deep into the mainland and feed on molting birds and their eggs. Naturally, it is difficult for them to feed on such food and they take most of their energy from their accumulated fat reserves. Life is always trying to survive, and the bear is a very adaptable creature. So, I am sure that the bear population will not die, but rather will be greatly reduced as a result of warming.
Now let's talk about penguins. These birds live mainly on the coast of Antarctica and in southern hemisphere distributed along places where cold currents pass. Their northernmost habitat is Galapagos Islands at the equator. But few people know that an analogue of penguins lived in the Arctic - the wingless auk.
Great Razorbill (Pinguinus impennis)
These birds inhabited the northern islands by the thousands. People first killed them for food and eggs with ordinary clubs, then they simply melted them into fat in huge boilers. First they were destroyed everywhere in Europe, then on the Atlantic coast of America. The last auks huddled on rocky islets near Iceland, but in 1844 they were completely destroyed and wiped off the face of the Earth.
Is it possible to acclimatize penguins in the north? There have been such attempts. In the 1930s, they tried to acclimatize king penguins in the fjords of the Lofontaine Islands. But the experiment was unsuccessful: twenty years later the population disappeared. In 1966, 50 penguins were released at the North Pole in order to observe them. How surprised the scientists were when they discovered one penguin after some time near the Mirny Antarctic station. Theoretically, penguins can be settled on the coast of the northern islands, but the next question is: will they have enough food? Due to intensive fishing by ocean trawlers, many bird markets disappeared or greatly reduced in size. So let the penguins reign in Antarctica while the states of the whole world have not yet begun to divide it in half.
Polar bears live in the Arctic, which is the region surrounding the North Pole. They spend most of their time on arctic ice. The Arctic Circle indicates the latitude above where the Sun does not rise during winter solstice and does not set during the summer solstice. The sun at the North Pole rises and sets once a year, resulting in six months of constant day and six months of constant night.
Polar bears roam the ice sheets and swim in the arctic coastal waters. They have large front feet that are slightly webbed, making them excellent swimmers. Polar bears swim on sheets of ice to travel long distances; Sometimes they are found hundreds of kilometers from the coast.
Polar bears have many adaptations that make them unique for living in icy environment habitat. Their skin is black to help absorb heat, and their white fur provides camouflage. The fur is also thicker than other bears. Polar bears have a thick layer of fat under their fur, which insulates them from the cold and also improves their buoyancy.
Polar bears have no natural predators. They usually eat seals, but will also eat the carcasses of dead animals if the opportunity presents itself.
According to popular belief, polar bears and penguins live where there is a lot of snow and ice. This is true, but although these species prefer extreme conditions, in natural environment they do not live in the same area. Polar bears love the Arctic, and penguins love Antarctica. Let's take a closer look at where polar bears and penguins live.
Polar bears - habitat and habits
In their natural environment, polar bears live in the polar regions of the North Pole. These animals are well adapted to life in the harsh north with extreme low temperatures. Due to the impressive reserves of subcutaneous fat and thick fur, polar bears feel comfortable both on land and in icy water. Such a habitat does not prevent large predators from leading a full-fledged lifestyle.
polar bears in natural conditions live in several countries, including Russia, Greenland, Canada, Alaska and Norway. Large predators do not have a tendency to migrate, they live in a specific area, preferring areas with open water, since fish is the favorite food of the polar bear.
AT summer time due to rising temperatures, polar bears disperse. Some animals are found even at the North Pole. Today, the number of these animals compared to previous years is small, but not critical, so it is too early to talk about the disappearance of the species from the face of the planet.
The polar bear is a large land predator. In nature, males weighing up to 800 kg are often found. The average weight of a male is 450 kg. Females weigh half as much, but before wintering or during pregnancy, they significantly increase body weight. Brown bear considered the closest relative of the white, so the crossing of these species usually ends in success.
Peculiarities of seasonal behavior of polar bears
It is striking that polar bears do not have a hibernation period. They remain active throughout the year. With the approach of cold weather, animals actively gain subcutaneous fat.
To your name polar bears owe to the shade of the fur. AT winter time Animals use fur for camouflage. special attention deserves the quick wits of polar bears. While waiting for prey, these massive predators cover their nose with their paw, which is the only dark spot. In summer, the polar bear's fur takes on a straw hue. This is the merit of ultraviolet rays.
I note that the polar bear has a multi-level "robe". Black leather, perfectly absorbent solar heat, covers a fluffy undercoat. The animal also has long protective hairs. They are transparent and have excellent thermal conductivity.
Polar bears are extremely hardy. Despite their decent body mass, the animals move quickly, taking advantage of hopping. Often, in pursuit of prey, a predator overcomes up to 500 meters.
The polar bear also feels great in the water. Without a break, he swims up to 1 km. This animal is also an excellent diver. For five minutes, he is quietly engaged in spearfishing.
The diet of the polar bear includes fish, marine and land animals. Sometimes seals also get on the predator's table. Thanks to a decent supply of fat, he goes without food for a long time, but if luck smiled, he eats up to 20 kg of meat at a time.
Polar bears don't drink. They get the liquid they need for a full existence from food of animal origin. I note that due to the cold climate they do not have profuse sweating. So they practically do not lose moisture.
Penguins - habitat and habits
Penguins are funny birds. They have wings, but they don't fly. On land they are clumsy, but in the water they are extremely graceful. Many people are of the opinion that they live only in Antarctica. This is not true. This part of the planet is inhabited by only 3 species, the rest of the species like warmer climes.
With the exception of the period of reproduction and feeding of offspring, penguins stay in the open sea of the Southern Hemisphere. The bulk of birds are concentrated in Antarctica and on the territory of nearby islands. In tropical latitudes, they appear in places with a cold current. The Galapagos Islands, which are located near the equator, are considered the most northern place penguin habitat.
Where are penguins found?
- Antarctica. A continent with a harsh climate eternal ice and extremely low temperatures perfect place for the life of the Antarctic and emperor penguin, as well as Adele's view. From early spring to mid-autumn, they live in the ocean, after which they return to land, unite in colonies, build nests, breed and feed offspring.
- Africa. The hot African coast, washed by the cold Benguela current, was chosen spectacled penguins. This species is incredibly sociable. It is not surprising that many tourists come to the cape every year. Good Hope for unforgettable communication with birds.
- Australia. The Australian or blue penguin lives here. It differs from other species in its modest weight and small stature - 1 kg and 35 cm, respectively. The largest number representatives of small kind concentrated on Phillip Island. Travelers visit this place to admire the "Penguin Parade". Small birds gather at the water's edge in small groups, after which they march to burrows in the sand hills.
- Argentina. The Orkney and Shetland Islands are home to King penguins that grow up to a meter high. The authorities of Latin America protect these birds in every possible way, which contributes to an increase in the population.
- New Zealand . Magnificent penguins live on the local islands - the most rare view. Them distinguishing feature- accommodation for couples. They do not gather in the colony. Due to the small number of individuals, the species is protected.
- South Atlantic . Golden-haired penguins are found on the coast of Chile, in the Falkland Islands and Tierra del Fuego. Their huge colonies attract tourists with amazing singing males that attract females so much.
- Peru. The Peruvian coast, along which the cold current passes, is the home of the Humboldt penguins. By various reasons their number decreases annually, in total there are 12 thousand pairs.
As you can see, there are a considerable number of penguin species, each of which lives in its own amazing corner. These birds are unique, and humanity is simply obliged to make sure that they continue to please us with a unique look and other individual features.
Features of the seasonal behavior of penguins
The way of life of penguins is extremely unusual. It is not surprising, because these flightless birds use their wings as fins, and all parents take part in raising and feeding offspring.
In penguins, the courtship period ends with the establishment of offspring. The result of joint efforts married couple is an egg. It needs protection from snow, otherwise, under the influence of low temperatures, the offspring will die on initial stage.
The female carefully transfers the egg to the paws of the male and goes in search of food. Having received an egg, the male envelops the future baby with an abdominal fold. He will have to warm the egg for 2 months. Often, in order to preserve offspring, the male resorts to the help of other members of the fraternity.
After the appearance of the baby, the male feeds him with milk, the production of which is responsible for the stomach and esophagus of the bird. Penguin milk is an incredibly nutritious liquid, containing 10 times more fat and protein than cow's milk.
While the father takes care of the child, the female catches squid and fish. The penguin's tongue is covered with "needles" turned in the direction of the pharynx. If the prey hit the beak, it will not work to escape.
Penguins hunt in packs. Gathered in big company females dive into the water and, opening their mouths wide, fly at speed into a school of fish. After such a maneuver, a tidbit is sure to be in the mouth.
Upon her return, the female, who has gained weight, feeds the starving members of the family. In your stomach caring mother brings up to 4 kg of half-digested food. The little penguin is transplanted onto its mother's paws and eats the brought delicacies for several weeks.
Video material
Where do polar bears and penguins live in captivity?
Every visitor to the zoo must have seen a polar bear. Spacious pens are equipped for these animals, where conditions are created that are as close as possible to the natural environment. It's about about imitation of a cold climate, creation of reservoirs with ice water and snow shelters.
In captive animals, the fur sometimes acquires a green tint. This is because under the influence of high temperature, the fur becomes an ideal breeding ground for algae.
In the territory Central Europe penguins are found exclusively in zoos. The administrators of some establishments organize "penguin marches" for visitors. Under the supervision of zoo workers, the birds leave the enclosure for a walk. Such events are organized by the zoos of Edinburgh, Munich and others. major cities Europe.
Penguins living in captivity often encounter a fungal infection that affects the respiratory tract. Therefore, for preventive purposes, in the summer, birds are kept behind glass partitions.
Common belief: penguins and polar bears live wherever there is a lot of ice and snow. Although both species prefer extreme conditions, but in natural environment they don't live in the same area. The polar bears liked the Arctic, which the penguins did not like - they preferred Antarctica.
Polar bears have chosen the North Pole, and penguins - the South. Clubfoot enjoys a life associated with drifting ice. They would not have gone to land at all, if not for the period of raising kids. Bear cubs are born in dens on land, and as adults, they get used to life on floating ice.
The main "bear maternity hospitals" are located in the Arctic - on about. Vrungel, Severnaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land. Male polar bears are eternal wanderers. They are excellent swimmers and are able to swim more than a hundred kilometers.
About 25 thousand individuals live around the North Pole. True, polar bears do not like the pollution of the seas and global warming. These majestic beauties live near the northern coasts of Eurasia and America on floating ice. They are also found on the territory of Russia, on the islands of the Northern Arctic Ocean.
Some wonder: could polar bear live without ice? The answer to this question was given by nature itself, as well as to the question of where penguins and polar bears live. In the 60s, a colony of individuals was discovered on the coast of Hudson Bay (Canada). The bears spent most of their time on the ice, feeding on seals.
During the period when the ice melted, they went deep into the mainland. Moulting birds and their eggs became their food. But because of global warming the population has almost halved in 10 years - from 1600 to 900 individuals. Because of the melting ice, the bears simply did not have enough of their usual food.
And what will happen if the penguins are still settled in the Arctic? According to the director of the Museum of the Arctic and Antarctic, Viktor Boyarsky, the population simply would not have survived there - there is no ecological niche. For natural movement towards the Arctic, there are no currents that unite the North and South Poles. tropical belt for penguins - an insurmountable barrier.
The polar bear does not even look into the territory where the birds live. After all, there are no extensive floating ice with polynyas. And this is the main "love" of polar bears. Therefore, in the habitats of penguins, clubfoot from the Arctic would not have survived either. They wouldn't be able to get their own food. Yes, and the nature of Antarctica is poorer, only the underwater world is rich. But polar bears have a chance to occupy these spaces. After all, the ice in the Artik is gradually melting. In the northern part of Antarctica, on the contrary, they are increasing.
Penguins like the Southern Hemisphere. They can be found in Antarctica and on the islands adjacent to the continent. There are also penguin colonies in Peru, southern Brazil and even Africa (southwest)! There are penguins in New Zealand and even in southern Australia. There are 16 different types, all of them are perfectly adapted to the aquatic way of life. True, they prefer a different landscape. Most give a rocky surface, but some love sandy beaches and thickets of grass. There are even colonies of penguins that have preferred coastal forests.
Ecology
The polar regions of the Earth are the most severe places on our planet.
For centuries, people have tried at the cost of life and health to get and explore the Arctic and the Arctic Circle.
So what have we learned about the two opposite poles of the Earth?
1. Where is the North and South Pole: 4 types of poles
In fact, there are 4 types of the North Pole in terms of science:
north magnetic pole- point on earth's surface at which magnetic compasses are directed
north geographic pole- located directly above the geographic axis of the Earth
Northern geomagnetic pole - linked to the earth's magnetic axis
North Pole of Inaccessibility- the northernmost point in the Arctic Ocean and the farthest from the earth on all sides
4 types of South Pole were also established:
south magnetic pole point on the earth's surface where the earth's magnetic field is directed upward
south geographic pole- a point located above the geographic axis of rotation of the Earth
South geomagnetic pole- linked to Earth's magnetic axis in the southern hemisphere
South Pole of Inaccessibility- a point in Antarctica, the most distant from the coast of the Southern Ocean.
In addition, there ceremonial south pole– area designated for photography at Amundsen-Scott station. It is located a few meters from the geographic south pole, but since the ice sheet is constantly moving, the mark shifts every year by 10 meters.
2. Geographic North and South Pole: ocean versus continent
The North Pole is essentially a frozen ocean surrounded by continents. In contrast, the South Pole is a continent surrounded by oceans.
In addition to the Arctic Ocean, the Arctic region (North Pole) includes part of Canada, Greenland, Russia, USA, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
The southernmost point of the earth - Antarctica is the fifth largest continent, with an area of 14 million square meters. km, 98 percent of which is covered by glaciers. She is surrounded southern part Pacific Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
Geographical coordinates North Pole: 90 degrees north latitude.
Geographical coordinates of the South Pole: 90 degrees south latitude.
All lines of longitude converge at both poles.
3. The South Pole is colder than the North Pole
The South Pole is much colder than the North Pole. The temperature in Antarctica (South Pole) is so low that in some places on this continent the snow never melts.
Medium annual temperature in this area is -58 degrees Celsius in winter, and the most heat was recorded here in 2011 and amounted to -12.3 degrees Celsius.
In contrast, the average annual temperature in the Arctic region (North Pole) is – 43 degrees Celsius in winter and about 0 degrees in summer.
There are several reasons why the South Pole is colder than the North. Since Antarctica is a huge landmass, it receives little heat from the ocean. In contrast, the ice in the Arctic region is relatively thin and there is an entire ocean underneath, which moderates the temperature. In addition, Antarctica is located on a hill at an altitude of 2.3 km and the air here is colder than in the Arctic Ocean, which is at sea level.
4. There is no time at the poles
Time is determined by longitude. So, for example, when the Sun is directly above us, local time shows noon. However, at the poles, all lines of longitude intersect, and the Sun rises and sets only once a year on the equinoxes.
For this reason, scientists and explorers at the poles use the time of any time zone which they like best. As a rule, they are guided by Greenwich Mean Time or the time zone of the country from which they arrived.
Scientists at Amundsen-Scott Station in Antarctica can do a quick run around the world by walking 24 time zones in a few minutes.
5. Animals of the North and South Pole
Many people have the misconception that polar bears and penguins are in the same habitat.
Actually, penguins live only in the southern hemisphere - in Antarctica where they don't have natural enemies. If polar bears and penguins lived in the same area, polar bears wouldn't have to worry about their food source.
Among the marine animals of the South Pole are whales, porpoises and seals.
Polar bears, in turn, are the most large predators in the northern hemisphere. They live in the northern part of the Arctic Ocean and feed on seals, walruses and sometimes even beached whales.
In addition, animals such as reindeer, lemmings, foxes, wolves, as well as marine animals: beluga whales, killer whales, sea otters, seals, walruses and more than 400 known species fish.
6. No Man's Land
Despite the fact that many flags can be seen at the South Pole in Antarctica different countries, This the only place on earth that doesn't belong to anyone, and where there is no indigenous population.
There is an agreement on Antarctica, according to which the territory and its resources must be used exclusively for peaceful and scientific purposes. Scientists, researchers and geologists - the only people, which from time to time set foot on the ground of Antarctica.
Against, More than 4 million people live in the Arctic Circle in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia.
7. Polar night and polar day
The poles of the earth are unique places, where it is observed the longest day, which lasts 178 days, and the longest long night, which lasts 187 days.
At the poles, there is only one sunrise and one sunset per year. At the North Pole, the Sun begins to rise in March on the vernal equinox and sets in September on the day autumn equinox. At the South Pole, on the contrary, sunrise is during the autumn equinox, and sunset is on the day of the vernal equinox.
In summer, the Sun is always above the horizon here, and the South Pole receives sunlight around the clock. In winter, the Sun is below the horizon when there is 24-hour darkness.
8. Conquerors of the North and South Pole
Many travelers have tried to get to the poles of the Earth, losing their lives on the way to these extreme points our planet.
Who first reached the North Pole?
There were several expeditions to North Pole starting from the 18th century. There is controversy over who reached the North Pole first. In 1908, American traveler Frederick Cook became the first to claim to have reached the North Pole. But his compatriot Robert Peary refuted this statement, and on April 6, 1909, he officially began to be considered the first conqueror of the North Pole.
First flight over the North Pole: Norwegian traveler Roald Amundsen and Humberto Nobile on May 12, 1926 on the airship "Norway"
First Submarine at the North Pole: nuclear submarine "Nautilus" 3 August 1956
First solo trip to the North Pole: Japanese Naomi Uemura, April 29, 1978, traveled 725 km on a dog sled in 57 days
First ski expedition: expedition of Dmitry Shparo, May 31, 1979. Participants walked 1,500 km in 77 days.
First to cross the North Pole: Lewis Gordon Pugh covered 1 km in -2 degrees Celsius water in July 2007.
Who first reached the South Pole?
The first conquerors of the South Pole were the Norwegian traveler Roald Amundsen and British explorer Robert Scott, after whom the first station at the South Pole, Amundsen-Scott Station, was named. Both teams went different ways and reached the South Pole with a difference of several weeks, the first was Amundsen on December 14, 1911, and then R. Scott on January 17, 1912.
First flight over the South Pole: American Richard Baird, in 1928
First to cross Antarctica without the use of animals and mechanical transport: Arvid Fuchs and Reinold Meissner, December 30, 1989
9. North and South Magnetic Pole of the Earth
Earth's magnetic poles are associated with magnetic field Earth. They are in the north and south, but do not coincide with geographic poles, as the magnetic field of our planet is changing. Unlike geographic, magnetic poles shift.
The north magnetic pole is not exactly in the arctic region, but moving east at a rate of 10-40 km per year, since the underground molten metals and charged particles from the Sun influence the magnetic field. The South Magnetic Pole is still in Antarctica, but it is also moving westward at a rate of 10-15 km per year.
Some scientists believe that one day a change in the magnetic poles can occur, and this can lead to the destruction of the Earth. However, the reversal of the magnetic poles has already occurred, hundreds of times over the past 3 billion years, and this has not led to any dire consequences.
10. Melting ice at the poles
Ice in the Arctic at the North Pole tends to melt in the summer and refreeze in the winter. However, for last years, ice cap began to melt at a very rapid pace.
Many researchers believe that already by the end of the century, and maybe in a few decades, arctic zone stay ice-free.
On the other hand, the Antarctic region at the South Pole contains 90 percent of the world's ice. Ice thickness in Antarctica averages 2.1 km. If all the ice of Antarctica melted, sea levels worldwide would rise by 61 meters.
Fortunately, this will not happen in the near future.
Some interesting facts about the North and South Pole:
1. There is an annual tradition at Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole. After the last food plane leaves, explorers watch two horror movies: the film "The Thing" (about an alien creature that kills the inhabitants of a polar station in Antarctica) and the film "The Shining" (about a writer who is in an empty remote hotel in winter)
2. Arctic tern bird makes a record flight from the Arctic to Antarctica every year flying more than 70,000 km.
3. Kaffeklubben Island - a small island in the north of Greenland is considered a piece of land that is located closest to the North Pole 707 km from it.