Beschreibung:

Polar Bear Skin Rug mounted by Jonas Bros Denver, Colorado Ursus maritimus Alaska Polar Bears can be found in all of the polar regions of the entire northern hemisphere. Their preferred habitat is the area where the northern seas meet the shoreline. Considered a marine mammal, hence the name Ursus maritimus, meaning sea bear, the Polar Bear spends as much time on the ice and water as it does on land. True carnivores, their primary prey is the seal. Polar Bears grow very large; both males and females reach 1,100 to 1,300 pounds. It is believed that they evolved approximately 200,000 years ago from Brown Bear ancestors. As a possible adaptation for better heat retention, the actual color of the Polar Bear's skin is black. Covered with a heavy fur, the color of their coats varies from pure white to a yellow hue. The coat consists of two layers - an undercoat of fine white hair and an outer coat composed of long guard hairs. The individual guard hairs are hollow, giving the fur a translucent effect. The hollow hairs also help to make the Polar Bear more buoyant when swimming. There was a sharp decline in the number of Polar Bears in the early part of the 20th Century due to severe over-hunting. However in 1967, five nations - Norway, Russia, Greenland, the United States and Canada - ratified a conservation treaty in order to save the bears. It is estimated that there are currently approximately 20,000 to 40,000 Polar Bears. Captured during the 1960s this magnificent polar bear skin has remained in the same family collection ever since. Expertly prepared by the taxidermy firm of Jonas Brothers as a rug it is lined with two layers of felt, one blue in color, the other cream, and finished with a reinforced canvas backing. Dr. Robert Schwartzman, served as a veterinarian for the great Iditarod Sled Race in Alaska for 10 years and acquired this skin during that time. Measures 96 x 92in