Polar bear spotted riding on its mother's back - to avoid falling into freezing waters of the Artic

Polar bear spotted riding on its mother's back

Polar bear cubs ride 'piggy back' on their mother's back to avoid falling into the freezing waters of the Arctic, according to new scientific evidence.

By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Published: 7:00AM BST 05 Oct 2009


A British holidaymaker visiting Duvefjorden, Nordaustlandet, spotted the mother bear with a seven-month-old cub hitching a ride. Photo: Angela Plumb

The behaviour has been observed in the wild before by polar bears emerging from the den for the first time or crossing open water.

However there was little research into the phenomenon and no photographic evidence.

Now a photograph by a British tourist has proved that polar bear cubs often hitch a ride with their mothers.

Angela Plumb was holidaying in Duvefjorden, Nordaustlandet, when she spotted the mother bear with a seven-month-old cub hitching a ride.

"The cub was on the back of the polar bear when it was in the water, then it got out of the water and stayed on its mother's back a little, then she shook it off," she said.

Seeing the bear had a radio collar, Mrs Plumb contacted Dr Jon Aars from the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromso.

He had heard about the phenomenon, but said there was little photographic evidence.

Now in a paper in the journal Polar Biology Dr Aars has explained why the cubs might ride on the back of the mother.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/6255867/Polar-bear-spotted-riding-on-its-mothers-back.html

:)

global warming!!! ARRRG!!!! :sarcasm:

Polar bear cubs can easily stand the temperatures.

The problem is that swimming requires much more energy than walking, given the same distances. Cubs aren't used to that much exertion.

With so much of their habitat turned into open water, though, it's still a major stressful change for them.

I have seen many a video of Grizzly cubs riding on their mothers backs as well as polar bears.

Not being a bear expert, I don't really know if it is from the freezing water or just part of the cubs learning experience.

adorable!! I wish they had more ice.

I'm sure mama bear feels the same.

They are wonderfully beautiful creatures. I hope they can adapt enough to survive. This shows hope, but it also shows how bad it is. :cry: