Question

How do you think the bear fits into and interacts with these geological systems? Please write a description of how the bear interacts with each of the systems.
Ex: The snowflake starts as part of the cryosphere because it is frozen. As it passes through the atmosphere let’s assume that it melts and becomes part of the hydrosphere. When it falls to the ground as rain it will be filtered through the ground. The ground is part of the geosphere. It may end up in a lake where it is consumed by an animal. Now it is part of the animal so it is part of the biosphere.

Answer 1

Cold Climate


© Dan Guravich/Polar Bears International
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Cold Climate. Polar bears are well-adapted to a life on the sea ice and the Arctic's and weather that can be fiercely cold.

In the High Arctic, the sun sets in October and doesn't rise again until late February. Winter temperatures can plunge to -40° or -50° F and stay that way for days or weeks. The average January and February temperature is -29°F.

Insulation. Two layers of fur and a thick layer of body fat provide polar bears with such excellent insulation that their body temperature and metabolic rate won't change even when temperatures reach -34º F. Compact ears and a small tail also help prevent heat loss. A polar bear's body temperature is 98.6º F—average for mammals.

On bitterly cold days with fierce winds, polar bears dig shelter pits in snow banks and curl up in a tight ball. Sometimes they cover their muzzles, which radiate heat, with their thickly furred paws and allow the snow to drift around and over them.

Polar bears have more problems with overheating than they do with cold. That's why they typically walk at a leisurely pace. They can quickly overheat when they run.