Scientists have discovered an amazing phenomenon in the Arctic! Swimming from ice floe to ice floe, females began to carry their cubs on their backs. Although the kids used to cope on their own. Experts believe that the reason for this is global warming, writes Daily.mail
The Arctic ice is melting and the water is increasing. Bears now have to swim long distances and therefore stay in the water longer. Babies still don't have enough subcutaneous fat to keep them warm for so long. And riding your mom helps you survive. The calf's body is less in contact with ice water, but all the time it is warmed by mother's warmth. In addition, this way of swimming is safer. Indeed, in the increased water space, there are many more predators!
“We've noticed that Alaska polar bears have swum between 550 and 650 km in the last four years,” says Jeff Yorke, WWF polar bear specialist. - So the fact that they have learned to adapt to a long voyage is very encouraging! Now babies have a better chance of surviving.
Animals are getting smaller!
A year ago, biologists published a study in the British Journal of Zoology. They compared the skulls of polar bears that lived at the beginning of the last century and those of today. It turns out that modern bears have decreased in size by 9%. And all again because of the melting of glaciers. In search of food, they travel long distances, so they spend more energy.