There are as estimated 20,000-25,000 polar bears living in the wild, and 15,000 of them are in Canada. Though their life span is up to 25 years in the wild, they are in decline. In fact, polar bears are considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 2008.

The main reason for their decline is the loss of ice due to global warming. The loss of ice has wreaked havoc in many ways; one of which is by reducing the population of seals, the polar bear’s prey. When their primary food source is more…

If you ask groups of primary students to name their favorite whales, there’s a good chance that the killer whale, or orca, will rank high on many class lists. With its fierce reputation as an apex predator, this magnificent marine mammal, which can be found in all of the earth’s oceans, has captivated both young and old since Pliny the Elder first described the species in the days of the ancient Roman Empire. “Killer whale”, however, is a misnomer; orcas are not really whales at all. They are dolphins.

Orcas are more…

The horned narwhale is one of the most unique and gorgeous creatures in the entire ocean. An inhabitant of the Arctic, a horned narwhale can weigh up to three and a half thousand pounds and measure up to fifteen feet or more in length. Their single tusk alone can be nearly ten feet long and weigh over twenty pounds.

One of the most popular legends about the horned narwhale is how the animal developed its tusk. According to Inuit lore, a woman with long, braided hair lanced a narwhale with more…

Many different types of whales exist in the North Atlantic Ocean. Among these is the North Atlantic right whale. Experts estimate that less than 500 North Atlantic right whales are currently in existence. The North Pacific Right Whale, a relative of the Atlantic right whale is even more endangered with population estimates of less than 50 whales.

The ‘right’ whale gets its name from the booming whaling industry of the 1800′s. The whales were considered ‘right’ for hunting because they are slow moving, provide ample blubber, and spend a more…

Some of the species of dolphins that are found in the North Atlantic Ocean are humpback whale, Harbor seal, Minke Whale, Finback whale, Sei Whale, Right Whale and Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin. The different species range from 5 to 8 feet up to 45 to 50 feet long. Weight of the different species range from 300 to 600 pounds up to 40 to 50 tons.

The diet of most dolphins consists of different types of fish and squid. Also included in some diets is plankton. Dolphins consume from 15 more…

Where do you go when the land you live on disappears? That is a question some arctic mammals are asking themselves as they watch the ice around them melt into the sea. The shrinking ice sheets impact mammals differently. Some spend a lot of time on the ice and many use it for critical uses.

Polar Bears are highly dependent on sea ice as they require it for hunting. Reduced sea ice can limit their hunting range and the more…