Polar Bear Cubs Face a Challenging First Year
In Polar Bear Cubs Face a Challenging First Year, narrator Sir David Attenborough introduces a mother polar bear and her two young cubs as they emerge from their den after five months beneath the snow. The cubs must quickly adapt to their harsh environment, learning to navigate steep slopes and frozen terrain. Their mother, who has not eaten in months, must now guide them across the sea ice to find food before her milk runs dry. As the ice begins to melt, survival becomes even more difficult. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: Why do polar bear cubs follow their mother so closely?
A: The cubs follow their mother because she is their only source of protection and food. They learn survival skills by imitating her movements and actions.
Q: Why do polar bears need to leave their dens and move onto the sea ice?
A: There is no food near the den site, so the mother must travel to the frozen sea to hunt seals. Without this food, she and her cubs would not survive.
Q: What challenges do polar bear cubs face during their first year?
A: Polar bear cubs must avoid predators, navigate dangerous terrain, and endure extreme cold. Additionally, as climate change causes sea ice to melt earlier in the season, finding food becomes even harder.
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