Polar Bear Reproduction
The polar bear population has shown many changes for the worse when it comes to their cubs. "We are seeing lower recruitment to the population (Fewer surviving cubs)" (Derocher). This is one of the main reasons that the population is decreasing. Pregnant polar bears need to eat a lot in the summer and fall to survive the denning period making it especially hard for a successful birth. The average polar bear weight has dropped by 15%, causing reproduction rates to decline even more. the pregnant polar bear then seeks maternity (the state of being a mother) in dens in October or November. Most maternity dens are located on land where snow accumulates. The number of dens is also decreasing with global warming causing all the ice to melt. Sows (Adult Females) give birth to 1 to 4 cubs from November to January and then nurses them before emerging from the en in March or April. With all the melting ice and the lack of skill that the polar bear cubs have in swimming many polar bear cubs are drowning before maturity. With all the loss of sea ice polar bears find it more difficult to care for their young, and some populations are beginning to decline. Also because of the lack of food and seals approaching land the cubs are dieing of hunger before their mother can find any food.