Polar Bear Facts

Birth seasons

• Polar bear cubs are born November through January in a den. Mother and cubs emerge from their den in late March or April.

Cubs at birth

• At birth, polar bear cubs weigh about 454 to 680 g (16-24 oz.) and are about 30 cm (12 in.) long. Males are born slightly larger than females.
• Polar bear cubs are born small and helpless, with their eyes closed.
• The fur is very fine at birth, making the cubs look hairless.

Care of young

• During their first few weeks of life, polar bear cubs nurse most of the time and stay close to their mother to keep warm.
• For the next three or four months the cubs nurse as often as six times a day. The length and number of nursings gradually decreases as the cubs grow older.
• Mother polar bears are extremely protective of their young, even risking their own lives in their cubs' defense.