Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1910-01-14
AN ARCTIC TERROR
IS THE POLAR BEAR
Why 1t Is Probable This Type
VIII Outlast All Other
Wild Animals
SHORT SEASON TO HUNT HIM
Though Awkward and ShambIlng In
Gait, the Bruln Of the Frozen North
is Very Actlve-lts Chief Food Con-
slsts Of Seal and Fish.

1t Is more than probable that the
polar bear will outlast all other wild
animals. for the reason that hunting
in the Arctic regions Is limited to a
very short period In the Summer.
Though awkward and shambling in its
gait, quick to depart at the approach
OF man, the polar bear is one OF the
most active of animals. and II brought
to bay II is formidable beast of prey.
Quick enough in It's movements to
catch a fish In It's native element,
strong enough to kill walrus at a
single stroke OF its mighty paw, there
Is no living creature within the Ar" &c
circle that can escape II. Its chief
food consists of seals and fish OF
various kinds.
In order TO capture the timid and
way seals, il employs its sense OF
smell. which Is extraordinarily keen,
for II will perceive. by the exercise OF
that sense alone, the little breathing
holes which seals have made through
the ice, even though they are covered
with uniform coating OF snow.
Should a seal bob above the surface
OF the water within sight Of this for
midable animal. the fate OF the unfor.
turate victim is soon settled, for II Is
sure to fall into the clutches OF its
pursuer.
The remarkable endurance OF the
po,lr bear while engaged In swim
ming is very great. for 1t has been
seen swimming steadily across a
strait OF some forty miles In width.
The Winter home OF the female Is
made in a sheltered cleft OF a rock.
In 4 very short time after the animal
has taken up her residence she is ef'
fectually concealed by the heavy
snow-drifts and her den is entirely un'
discernible 10 the eye. Here the little
cubs are born and here the mother re-
mai..s sometimes nearly all Winter,
without food sustaining her little
ones. The young are generally two in
number. and when they make their
first appearance outside the snow
built nursery in which their first few
months of existence have been passed
they are in excellent condition.
Their mother, however. re-enters
the ice world in a very poor condition
of aspect and of temper, as might be
expected OF so rayenous and hungry
an animal. Watchful over the safety
OF her cubs. she is very dangerous
and so jealous of their safety that she
thinks every moving object Is an on
envy. The male bear passes the Win
ter in the active exercise OF his facul
ties. He will often in his wanderings
enter the huts of native fishermen
and create great havoc by smashing
everything in sight with his giant
paws.
At times he is extremely malicious
seemingly void OF fear, attacking men
women and children without any ap
parent reason. AS in the case with
nearly all bears, even when pierced
with many wounds, he will fight in
the most desperate manner, employ
ing both teeth and claws In the com
bat. and only yielding the struggle
with life.
Polar bears are thickly covered
with a double fur, which, when i'm
mersed in water, is pressed tightly tc
the skin and elfectually throws of the
moisture.
To protect the animal from the ic,
cold water, a thick layer OF fat II
placed Immediately below the skin
am being an excellent non-conductol
Of heat. serves to retain the interna
heat through the severest cold.-
Metropolitan Magazine.