Who is the largest land predator on Earth? According to Polar Bears International (PBI), nothing can match the greatness of the polar bear.
Yes, animals that physically may look cute and adorable, are in fact the biggest land predators on Earth. This nomadic beast has the largest range of any land-living animal and is marked as the world's largest terrestrial carnivore by Guinness World Records.
Reaching heights of up to about 3 meters (when standing on their hind legs), polar bears are not only big but also very intelligent.
This animal with the scientific name Ursus Maritimus, is a circumpolar species and the largest mammal in the biological family genus Ursidae. Polar bears are called large animals because apart from being tall, they can also weigh up to 600 kilograms.
Quoted from IFL Science, they have adapted a special way of hunting to survive, even using tools to kill their prey by throwing ice cubes at the target.
In addition to their sharp claws and super strength, they also have a very keen sense of smell, sharper than a dog. While his hearing, at least the same as human hearing. Polar bears are also very good swimmers. They are able to swim up to 10 km/hour. Compare with humans who are only able to swim about 2-3 km / hour.
Polar bears can scavenge dead whales. This food can keep them alive for weeks or months.
"Polar bears don't need help getting seals out for example. But unfortunately, the sea ice on which they hunt is disappearing, pushing these animals ever closer to extinction," said Dr John Whiteman, chief research scientist at PBI and assistant professor of biology at Old Dominion. University.
As Whiteman explains, their extraordinary adaptation to frozen environments also makes them vulnerable in the face of climate change.
Over time, the polar bear population continues to experience extinction. This is because the habitat of these predatory animals is increasingly being eroded due to the increasing temperature of the Earth and the melting of ice at the poles.