Polar Bear Watch
Interpretive Guide ‒ Climate Change
Theme: Climate change causes disruptions that affect species and whole ecosystems. By
working together, we can help to reduce the negative effects of climate change on wildlife.
Possible Hooks: Did you know polar bears are considered to be marine mammals? What do you
think polar bears eat?
Common Threats: Rising temperatures in the Arctic are creating challenges for the survival of
many species that live there.
Habitat loss: Rising temperatures in the Arctic are causing polar bear and Arctic fox habitat
to change.
 Rising temperatures in the Arctic cause sea ice to melt. Polar bears are highly dependent
on sea ice for survival as they rely on the ice for hunting, mating and denning.
 Southern plant species are slowly colonizing within Arctic fox range, gradually
transforming the tundra into boreal forest. Arctic foxes are very well adapted to their
Arctic environment and are not well suited to forest habitats.
Prey Abundance: Climate change in the Arctic creates hunting challenges for polar bears
and Arctic foxes.
 Seals are polar bear’s main prey. Polar bears hunt seals on sea ice at breathing holes and
cracks in the ice. The loss of sea ice results in a loss of food for polar bears, and the
animals that scavenge their carrion, such as Arctic foxes and ravens.
 Climate change may lead to instability in the population size of Arctic rodents, such as
lemmings, which are a primary food source for Arctic foxes.
 As temperatures rise, red foxes are extending their range into Arctic fox territory. Red
foxes are capable of out-competing Arctic foxes for food, further decreasing the amount
of prey available to Arctic foxes.
Exhibit Conservation Message:
Climate change is occurring around the world and human actions, such as burning fossil
fuels (coal, gas, etc.), are primarily responsible. By making smart choices, we can reduce our
greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change. Refer to the polar bear and Arctic fox
fact sheets for more information on how we can reduce our carbon footprint.
Recommended Biofacts: Polar bear pelt, arctic fox fur
10/9/2016
PBW Interpretive Guide
The Maryland Zoo
Polar Bear Watch
Interpretive Guide ‒ Humans + Wildlife can Coexist
Theme: Humans and wildlife can coexist.
Possible Hooks: Did you know polar bears sometimes live near humans? How do you think
people are able to live in close proximity to polar bears? What do you think this trap is for?
Background: As the human population grows and as human settlement expands around the
world, humans are coming into ever-increasing competition with wildlife for natural resources.
The people of Churchill, Manitoba, the area on which Polar Bear Watch is based, have found
ways to live with wild polar bears responsibly and can be viewed as a success story.
 Residents collect and process their trash in ways that won’t attract bears, and feed their
pets indoors.
 Parents educate their children about how to properly behave around a polar bear.
 The town has a successful management program called Polar Bear Alert, which aims to
minimize human-bear encounters. Officers patrol the town’s perimeter constantly
during bear season, safely trapping and relocating bears that
wander too close to town.
Related Exhibit Feature: Polar Bear Trap
This interpretive feature is a model of a polar bear trap that would
be used in Churchill to catch polar bears that venture into town.
Polar bears are lured into the traps with prey scents. Once a bear
enters the trap, it is moved to a holding facility and then safely
moved away from town or even out to sea ice.
Exhibit Conservation Message:
The residents of Churchill, Manitoba, have learned to live in close proximity to polar bears,
and there are lessons to be learned from their success. Although people do not encounter
polar bears in the wild in Maryland, it is certainly possible for someone to encounter other
types of “problematic” wildlife, such as black bears or raccoons. Through proper education
and safety precautions, humans can successfully coexist with a variety of wildlife.
We can coexist responsibly with wildlife in our area. We can:
 Dispose trash and recycling in secure
 Never feed wildlife by hand.
receptacles.
 Plant native plants in our gardens.
 Feed pets indoors.
 Provide habitat for bats and birds (bird + bat houses)
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PBW Interpretive Guide
The Maryland Zoo
Polar Bear Watch
Big picture themes & messages
The Polar Bear Watch exhibit is a great place to incorporate thematic interpretation. The
theme of your conversation may vary depending on the age of your audience, the location you
choose to interpret in, or the biofact you choose to take on grounds. Themes relevant to this
area are described below.
Conservation of Biodiversity: Humans are part of the rich diversity of life, and have the power
to protect or destroy it.
Biodiversity is short for “biological diversity,” meaning the variety of life on Earth.
Biodiversity can be broken down into three levels; species diversity, ecosystem diversity,
and genetic diversity.
 Species diversity: The number and variety of life forms within a region.
 Ecosystem diversity: The variety of ecosystems within a given place.
 Genetic diversity: Genetic variation among individuals within a species and among
species.
Biodiversity is essential for human survival. It provides humans with food, materials (wood,
metal, etc), medicine, clean water and oxygen, and biodiversity on the genetic level helps to
prevent disease. Biodiversity is threatened by many factors, including habitat loss and
fragmentation, the spread of invasive species, the use of unsustainable resources and
climate change.
Biodiversity in the Arctic:
 The Arctic and surrounding waters supply fisheries with a great amount of fish and
crustaceans, providing people with food and jobs.
 Wetlands are heavily scattered throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Wetlands are
important for cleaning water and storing carbon.
Possible hook: Did you know that the Arctic is full of diversity?
Ecosystem and Habitats: Living things exist within complex relationships in ecosystems.
The Arctic is the equivalent of a very cold desert. Many areas get very little precipitation
(less than 10 inches of rain per year) and, just like a desert, the land looks barren and
featureless. Although many people think of the Arctic as a lifeless ice-block, it is a thriving
wilderness that supports hundreds of species in intricate harmony. For example, polar bears
are considered to be a keystone species. If polar bears were removed from their habitat,
seal populations would rise. High seal populations would affect other members of the food
chain, such as small fish and plankton. Land animals, such as the Arctic fox and raven, would
also be affected as they often rely on carrion left by polar bears for food.
10/9/2016
PBW Interpretive Guide
The Maryland Zoo
Polar Bear Watch
Big picture themes & messages
Amazing Adaptations: Animals living in Arctic habitats are well adapted to their extreme
environment.
An adaptation is defined as a characteristic or trait that helps an animal (or plant) survive.
The animals in Polar Bear Watch can survive in the cold arctic climate, because they are well
adapted to a cold, harsh environment. Arctic animals are typically adapted for warmth,
camouflage and finding food. For example, pointing out the Arctic fox’s white fur can begin
a conversation about camouflage, or pointing out the polar bear’s large paws can spark a
conversation about how they use them for swimming and walking on ice.
Possible Hooks: How do you stay warm in the winter? Do you know what a scavenger is?
Did you know that Arctic foxes aren’t white in the summer?
Animal Care: Like all AZA-accredited facilities, The Maryland Zoo is dedicated to the highest
quality animal care and a high standard of health and welfare for our animals.
Training: Our animal training program is a great example of how we provide excellent care
for our animals at the Zoo. Through training, we can perform husbandry and medical
procedures with minimal stress. For example, an animal may be trained to stand still and
open its mouth so that a keeper can look at its teeth. Or we may train an animal to stand
still and present a shoulder so that the vets can give an injection or draw blood. Training is
based on positive reinforcement, and provides a positive and enriching experience for the
animals.
Enrichment: Enrichment at the Zoo refers to anything – an object or an experience – that
stimulates play, exploration, and other natural behaviors in animals. Toys, scents, hidden
food, and behavioral training are all forms of animal enrichment. The keepers work hard to
come up with new ideas to keep the animals stimulated and to encourage them to interact
with their environment. Some examples of enrichment that keepers provide for the polar
bears include hanging toys, burying food, offering ice treats, providing large logs, rocks and
dirt.
Recommended Biofact: Polar bear enrichment items
Sources:
Science Center:
http://www.sciencenter.org/climatechange/d/box_ocean_arctic_plankton_polar_bears_and_people.pd
f
National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Biodiversity.aspx
Department of Environment and Energy: https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/conservation
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment: http://www.arcticbiodiversity.is/
10/9/2016
PBW Interpretive Guide
The Maryland Zoo
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus
Description
 Size:
o Head and body length: 7.8-8.5 ft for males; 6.2-6.8 ft for females
 Weight:
o Males: 900-1300 lbs
o Females 450-600 lbs
 Physical Description: Polar bears are the largest living carnivore. The entire body is
covered in fur, except for the foot pads and the tip of the nose. Polar bears have a short
tail, short ears, a long neck and long, large limbs. Males, females, and juveniles are
similar in appearance; juveniles have thinner fur.
 Sexual Dimorphism:
o Males are larger than females.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range
 Range: Circumpolar arctic; more than 60% of wild polar bears live primarily in Canada
o Range also includes Alaska, Greenland, Russia, and Norway
 Habitat: Spends the majority of their lives on sea ice, sometimes found along or near
Arctic coasts and on Islands
Diet

Carnivorous: Main diet consists of seals and other marine animals; seal pups are
preferred because they are high in fat. Also eats fish, small mammals, birds, kelp, and
berries
Adaptations
 Warmth:
o Small ears and a small tail minimize heat loss.
o Two dense layers of fur and an additional layer of blubber provide insulation.
 Dense fur prevents heat loss on land, while the blubber provides warmth
in the water.
 Paws:
o Large, furry paws help to distribute the bear’s weight on ice.
o In the water, the front paws act as paddles and the hind legs act as a rudder.
o Small black bumps called papillae cover the foot pads and provide traction on
ice.
o Long, curved claws are used for grabbing prey, and providing extra grip for
walking on ice.
 Hunting: Polar bears typically hunt seals on sea ice, where they wait for them to
breathe at openings in the ice or at breathing holes.
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Polar Bear
The Maryland Zoo
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus
o Acute sense of smell, sight and hearing helps to detect prey
o A long neck enables polar bears to reach down into cracks and holes in the ice to
catch prey
o Large, sharp canine teeth and small, jagged cheek teeth are used for ripping and
tearing meat
Social Structure
 Typically solitary, except for mothers with cubs.
o Numerous bears may be seen in a relatively small area; however they do not
form a social group.
 Not strictly territorial
 Communication: Polar bears communicate through their body language, vocalizations
and scent marking.
Lifespan/Life Cycle
 Wild: 15-18 years
 Captivity: Up to 39 years
Ecosystem relationships
 Polar bears are the dominant predator throughout their range; they have no predators
other than humans, and on rare occasions, other polar bears.
 Dependent on sea ice for hunting, denning, and mating platforms.
Reproduction
 Breeding season: March to May; cubs are born in late November to mid January
 Behavior:
o Denning: Pregnant females dig out small dens near snowdrifts, in hills near sea
ice, or in banks of snow on sea ice. Females give birth inside the den, and emerge
two to three months later once the cubs are strong enough to survive outside.
The female may spend up to 4 to 8 months in her den, during this time she does
not eat or drink.
 Gestation: Polar bears experience delayed implantation. In delayed implantation, the
egg is fertilized but does not implant into the uterine wall immediately. Eggs that are
fertilized in the spring do not begin to develop until the fall. Pregnancy is difficult to
detect due to delayed implantation and the small size of the cubs.
 Number of offspring: Females give birth once about every 3 years to 1-2 cubs; twins are
most common.
 Maturation:
o Cubs are 12-14 inches long and weigh slightly more than 1 pound at birth.
o Cubs drink their mother’s milk and depend on her for survival for at least 20
months.
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Polar Bear
The Maryland Zoo
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus
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Cubs typically stay with their mother for 2.5 to 3 years
Activity
 Distinguishing between day and night is difficult in the Arctic where there are 24 hours
of daylight in the summer, and 24 hours of darkness in the winter.
 Polar bears sleep for periods of 7 to 8 hours and take frequent naps
 Polar bears do not hibernate; males and non-pregnant females stay active throughout
the year.
 Summer habits:
o In the northern portions of their range, polar bears tend to sleep more during
the day, as seals are more active at night.
o Polar bears in southern portions of their range spend the summer fasting on
land. They are not able to feed until temperatures decrease and sea ice reforms
to allow for hunting.
Other “Fun Facts”
 Their name, Ursus maritimus, is Latin for “sea bear”
 Polar bear blubber can be up to 4.5 inches thick
 Polar bear fur is not white; it is translucent and hollow. Each hair scatters and reflects
light, similar to ice and snow, making the fur appear white in the sunlight.
o Sometimes oils from the bear’s diet accumulate in the fur, making the bear
appear yellow.
o Polar bears typically appear the most white in the late summer months after
 There is a common misconception that their clear hairs conduct UV light and heat to
the skin, helping to keep the bear warm; studies have shown this hypothesis to be false.
Instead, polar bears have several adaptations, including thick blubber and dense fur,
which help keep them warm.
 Polar bears can run up to 25 mph, but only for short distances. Running can cause them
to quickly overheat. Polar bears have more problems with overheating than they do
with the cold climate.
 Polar bears sleep through blizzards! The snow acts as an insulating blanket as it piles up
on top of them. They may stay under the snow for several days until the storm passes.
Conservation Status and Threats
 IUCN listed as Vulnerable
o Polar bears live in remote areas that are difficult, and costly, to study. Because
conducting polar bear research is expensive and challenging, scientists do not
have concrete data on the amount of polar bears worldwide.
 Threats:
o Climate change and habitat loss are a major threat.
 As climate changes and the Arctic warms, sea ice is melting sooner and
10/9/2016
Polar Bear
The Maryland Zoo
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus

reforming later in the year. Meaning that bears have to go longer
without food as they rely on the presence of sea ice for hunting.
 A reduction in sea ice increases the swimming distance between patches
of sea ice, leading to reduced access to food, loss of denning areas, lower
cub survival rates, and an increase in drowning and cannibalism.
 As their sea ice habitat decreases, polar bears are more likely to wander
into towns to feed on garbage and household pets.
o Hunting and over-exploitation: Unregulated commercial and sport hunting was a
major threat to polar bears in the 1960s and 1970s.
o Pollution from oil and gas drilling, PCBs (a toxic chemical that is now banned in
the U.S.) and pesticides
o Tourism: The presence of tourists can negatively affect bear behavior and
reproductive success
Conservation
o The 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears was signed by Canada,
Denmark, Norway, the U.S., and Russia. This was the first time all five polar bear
nations came together on a shared wildlife conservation issue.
At the Zoo

The Zoo has one female polar bear on exhibit in Polar Bear Watch
o Anoki, female, born November 20, 1996
What We Can Do


Support conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo, as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more
about them, spread the word, and consider getting involved.
o Polar Bears International (PBI): PBI is the world's leading polar bear
conservation organization. Their research, education, and action programs
address the issues that are endangering polar bears. The Maryland Zoo in
Baltimore has a long standing partnership with PBI and supports their work both
through funding, on grounds collaborations and staff support on a variety of
levels.
Reduce your carbon footprint. A carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon
dioxide, and other greenhouse gasses, created through human activities each year.
Making energy efficient choices will reduce greenhouse gas emission and slow climate
change.
o Shop locally: Produce, meat and other products that travel short distances burn
less fossil fuels than items transported over long distances.
10/9/2016
Polar Bear
The Maryland Zoo
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus
o Eat less meat: Meat production produces higher levels of greenhouse gas
emissions and requires significantly more water than vegetable production.
o Use alternative transportation methods: Our vehicles emit incredible amounts of
greenhouse gasses each year. Take advantage of public transportation and
carpool, bike or walk whenever possible.
o Become and energy-efficient household:
 Use energy efficient appliances
 Switch to LED or CFL light bulbs
 Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use
Additional Resources and References:
 Polar Bears International: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/climate-change/seaice-losses-temperature-trends
 IUCN: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22823/0
 World Wildlife Fund: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-polarbears/essentials
 2013 PBW Interpretation Guide: http://www.marylandzoo.org/assets/PBWInterpretation-Guide-2013.pdf
 Arkive: http://www.arkive.org/polar-bear/ursus-maritimus/
 National Aquarium: http://www.aqua.org/care/chesapeake-bay
 Meatless Monday: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/about-us/why-meatless/
10/9/2016
Polar Bear
The Maryland Zoo
Arctic Fox
Alopex lagopus
Description
 Size:
o Length: 18-27 inches
o Height: 11 inches
 Weight: 5-9 pounds
 Physical Description: Smaller than the red fox, the Arctic fox has a round body, short
ears and legs, and a bushy tail. Coloration varies with season; white during the winter
and brown or grey with a light underside in the summer. Coat texture also varies with
season; coat is extremely dense in the winter and much thinner in the summer.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range
 Range: Widespread range throughout the circumpolar Arctic and sub-Arctic
 Habitat: Alpine and Arctic tundra, coastal areas
Diet

Omnivorous: Diet mainly consists of small rodents called lemmings. Also hunts, steals,
scavenges and eats whatever is available. This includes eating fish, crustaceans, birds,
eggs, other small mammals, grains and seeds.
Adaptations
 Warmth:
o Their winter coat is the most dense and warm of any land mammal. Every part of
their body is covered, including the soles of their feet.
o Small ears, a short muzzle, and short legs help prevent heat loss.
o During a blizzard Arctic foxes will curl up in a tight ball and use their tails to warm
their noses. The snow acts as an insulator as it accumulates on top of the fox,
and the fox’s fur traps body heat.
 Camouflage:
o Brownish-grey summer coats camouflage the foxes in the summer
o Thick white winter coats provide camouflage in the winter
 Able to lower metabolic rates to survive when food is scarce.
Social Structure
 Social units are made up of a breeding pair and their young offspring
 Communication: Use scent marking and vocalizations to communicate
o Glands near the tail produce a substance with a skunk-like smell
Lifespan/Life Cycle
 Wild: Up to 14 years
10/9/2016
Arctic Fox
The Maryland Zoo
Arctic Fox
Alopex lagopus

Captivity: Up to 14 years
Ecosystem relationships
 Predators: Red foxes, wolves, wolverines, and polar bears. Pups are also eaten by these
predators, as well as birds of prey.
 Arctic foxes are able to survive the winter by following polar bears onto pack ice and
scavenging their kills.
 Arctic fox populations can fluctuate in response to annual changes in lemming
abundance as lemmings make up most of their diet.
 Interspecies competitors: May be outcompeted by red foxes in overlapping ranges.
Reproduction
 Breeding season: Occurs from late winter to early spring
 Behavior:
o Form long-lasting monogamous pairs; highly territorial during the breeding
season.
o Females build a den with a large chamber for raising young.
o Both male and female foxes feed and care for the pups; the male also guards the
group.
 Gestation: 7-8 weeks
 Number of offspring: 6-12 pups per litter on average; large litters compensate for high
pup mortality
 Maturation:
o High rate of infant mortality; frequently stillborn
o Eyes and ears open 2-3 weeks after birth
o Young become independent from the den after 8-10 weeks
o Reach sexual maturity at 10 months
Activity
 Diurnal; Active during the day, rest at night
 Arctic foxes dig dens in dry, sandy soil on the crests of sloped terrain.
o Dens are used during the breeding season for rearing young and during the rest
of the year for shelter. A fox may use the same burrow for many years.
o Dens range in complexity from simple single burrows, to large interconnected
structures.
Other “Fun Facts”
 Arctic foxes are the only land mammals to range as far north as polar bears
 Only land mammal native to Greenland
 Arctic foxes have two color phases; white fox and blue fox. Blue foxes vary in coloration
from almost black, steel blue, chestnut brown and light grey during the winter, and
10/9/2016
Arctic Fox
The Maryland Zoo
Arctic Fox
Alopex lagopus
chocolate brown in the summer.
Conservation Status and Threats
 IUCN listed as Least Concern
 Threats:
o Hunting: Arctic foxes are a very important game species in the Arctic. Local
people have a history of utilizing their fur, which can be a significant source of
income.
 Due to their large reproductive capacity, Arctic fox populations are
typically able to withstand high hunting pressure.
 Arctic fox hunting has greatly declined in the last few decades as fur
prices have dropped and alternative sources of income have become
available.
o Climate change: The changing climate affects Arctic foxes in several ways: :
 Loss of tundra habitat: Tundra habitats are slowly being replaced by
boreal forest as warming temperatures allow southern plant species to
colonize the region. Arctic foxes are very well adapted to their Arctic
environment and are not well suited to forest habitats.
 Competition: As temperatures warm in the Arctic, red foxes are
extending their range northward. Red foxes are predators of Arctic foxes
and also out-compete them for food.
 Prey abundance: Climate change may lead to instability in the population
size of Arctic rodents, such as lemmings, which are a primary food source
for Arctic foxes.
 Disease: Increasing red fox populations in Arctic fox ranges has the
potential to spread red fox-mediated rabies over large and currently
unaffected regions. There is also the potential for the Arctic-mediated
strains to spread to red fox populations in unaffected regions.
At the Zoo
The Zoo houses two Arctic foxes in Polar Bear Watch. Timber (male) and Luna (female) arrived
to the Zoo in 2016; both foxes were born in 2015.
What We Can Do

Support conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo, as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more
about them, spread the word, and consider getting involved.
o Polar Bears International (PBI): PBI is the world's leading polar bear
conservation organization. Their research, education, and action programs
10/9/2016
Arctic Fox
The Maryland Zoo
Arctic Fox
Alopex lagopus

address the issues that are endangering polar bears. The Maryland Zoo in
Baltimore has a long standing partnership with PBI and supports their work both
through funding, on grounds collaborations and staff support on a variety of
levels.
Reduce your carbon footprint. A carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon
dioxide, and other greenhouse gasses, created through human activities each year.
Making energy efficient choices will reduce greenhouse gas emission and slow climate
change.
o Shop locally: Produce, meat and other products that travel short distances burn
less fossil fuels than items transported over long distances.
o Eat less meat: Meat production produces higher levels of greenhouse gas
emissions and requires significantly more water than vegetable production.
o Use alternative transportation methods: Our vehicles emit incredible amounts of
greenhouse gasses each year. Take advantage of public transportation and
carpool, bike or walk whenever possible.
o Become and energy-efficient household:
 Use energy efficient appliances
 Switch to LED or CFL light bulbs
 Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use
Additional Resources and References:
 IUCN: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/899/0
 World Wildlife Fund: http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/Arctic-fox
 Arkive: http://www.arkive.org/Arctic-fox/vulpes-lagopus/
 Maryland Zoo: http://www.marylandzoo.org/2016/02/two-new-Arctic-fox-polar-bearwatch/
 Maryland Zoo: http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/mammals/Arcticfox/
 IUCN: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/fact_sheet_red_list_arctic_foxes.pdf
 2013 PBW Interpretation Guide: http://www.marylandzoo.org/assets/PBWInterpretation-Guide-2013.pdf
 http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/default.html
 Johnson, N. (2013). The Role of Animals in Emerging Viral Diseases. Retrieved August
23, 2016, from
https://books.google.com/books?id=cYlqAAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs
_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
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Arctic Fox
The Maryland Zoo
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
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Description:
Size:
o Height: 2.5-3.2 ft (71- 96 cm)
o Wingspan: 5.5-8 ft (168-244 cm)
Weight: 5.5- 13.9 lb (2.5-6.3 kg)
Physical Description: An extremely large bird of prey with a sharp curved beak, round head,
and broad neck and shoulders. Bald eagles have massive rectangular wings, and
unfeathered legs with sharp talons.
Coloration:
o Juveniles: Feathers are lighter in shade and grayish in hue. Their body feathers are
more mottled white.
o Mature adult: Body feathers are mostly dark brown, and tail and head feathers are
white. Their beaks and eyes are fully yellow.
Sexual dimorphism: Females are slightly larger than the males.
In the Wild


Habitat and Range:
Range: Found throughout North America; the southern edge of their range dips down into
Mexico.
Habitat: Bald eagles prefer undisturbed forested areas near large bodies of water such as
rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Sometimes found in areas further from large bodies of
water in the southern portion of its range.

Diet:
Opportunistic predators and scavengers: Eats mostly fish, but also eats other birds, shellfish,
small mammals and reptiles, amphibians, and carrion.
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Adaptations:
Kleptoparastitism: Will steal prey from other predators, especially ospreys with fish.
Sharp, curved beaks help them eat their prey
Talons are sharp and strong to help capture prey
Broad, powerful wings are adept at both soaring and speed
Social Structure:
 Bald eagles are mostly solitary, however they may gather in large groups at communal
roosts and feeding sites during the winter months.
 Some pairs have been observed hunting cooperatively; working together to flush out
prey.
Lifespan:
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Bald Eagle
The Maryland Zoo
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
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Wild: typically 15-20 years
Captivity: 20-30 years
Ecosystem relationships:
Predators: Eggs and young are preyed upon by nest predators such as ravens, bears,
raccoons and foxes. Adult birds are not commonly preyed upon.
Interspecies competitors:
o Competes with other birds of prey, such as osprey, for fish. Other birds of prey,
especially the osprey in competition for fish
o Competes with scavengers, such as vultures, for carrion.
Role/ Niche: Bald eagles are both a top level predator and a scavenger.
o They help keep populations of fish, smaller birds and reptiles, and mammals in
balance.
o They also help clean the environment by eating carrion, which reduces the spread of
disease.
Reproduction:
Breeding season: Varies according to location; late spring and summer in the northern part
of its range, winter in the southern part of the range.
Behavior:
o Bald eagles are monogamous, and form long-lasting pairs.
o Pair bonds are reinforced through aerial displays in which they lock talons and
tumble through the air.
o The nests are very large, and are made with sticks and other vegetation. Both males
and females help build the nests. Nests are often re-used from year to year, with
fresh material being added.
Incubation Period: 35 days
Clutch size: 1-3 eggs
Maturation:
o Chicks have dark eyes, pink legs and skin, and flesh colored talons. Their skin darkens
to blue over the first month. Their feathers are brown except for underside of the
wing, which is white.
o Chicks fledge at 14 weeks. They do not become fully reproductively mature until
they are 5 years old.
o Immature bald eagles travel great distances to find their own territory. They can
travel hundreds of miles per day and have been tracked to go as far as central
California to Alaska.
Activity:
Diurnal: Active during the day and rest a night
10/9/2016
Bald Eagle
The Maryland Zoo
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
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Other “fun facts”:
In 1782 the bald eagle became the national emblem and bird of the United States of
America. Benjamin Franklin, however, did not like this choice because of the “cowardly and
thieving” behaviors of the bald eagle, and thought the wild turkey would have been a better
choice.
What many people think of as the bald eagle’s call is actually the call of the red-tailed hawk.
The red-tailed hawk’s “Skreeee” was seen as a more majestic and impressive call than the
actual bald eagle’s weak, gull-like chirps. So Hollywood and media often play the sound of
the red-tailed hawk in scenes with eagles.
Second largest bird of prey in North America, after the Californian condor.
Conservation Status and Threats:
Listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
CITES- No special status.
Conservation efforts: Bald eagles are a prime example of a conservation success story. They
were taken off the endangered species list in 2007. Many factors led to their initial decline
in the early 1900s. Hunting and habitat destruction contributed to the decline of eagle
populations, but the use of the insecticide DDT was the primary factor contributing to their
decline. The subsequent banning of DDT, combined with habitat protection measures, has
been seen as the cause for the strong rebound of their populations.
o A note on DDT:
 DDT is an insecticide that was once used in agriculture.
 DDT can cause a thinning of egg shells in many birds, increasing the
likelihood of eggs being crushed
during incubation. This
phenomenon caused bald eagle
reproduction rates to plummet.
 Top level predatory birds took the
brunt of the decline, due to a
phenomenon known as
bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation
happens when predators
accumulate toxins in their system
by consuming prey that contains
small amounts of toxic chemicals.
The higher the animal is on the
food chain, the higher the
concentration of the chemical in
their food. This makes top level
predators especially vulnerable to
bioaccumulation.
 Since DDT had such a far reaching impact on the ecosystem, it was banned
10/9/2016
Bald Eagle
The Maryland Zoo
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
for agricultural use in 1972.
At the Zoo
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The Zoo houses one bald eagle in Polar Bear Watch. Vega (female) arrived at the Zoo during
the summer of 2014.
She was found in North Carolina in 2009 and was deemed non-releasable after several
attempts to rehabilitate her. Vega’s estimated year of birth is 2009.
Her name was voted on by the public and references the star constellation Vega, also
known as the “Swooping Eagle”
What We Can Do
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Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat – conserve
energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution.
Use wildlife-friendly gardening practices such as planting native species and using non-toxic
pesticides. Native plant species require less pesticides and fertilizers than non-native
species.
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat.
Many locations have annual winter bird counts that need volunteers. Check with your local
US Fish and Wildlife Service office for details.
Additional Resources and References:
Arkive: http://www.arkive.org/bald-eagle/haliaeetus-leucocephalus/
Animal Diversity Web:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Haliaeetus_leucocephalus/
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/bald_eagle/lifehistory
National Geographichttp://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/bald-eagle/
IUCN Redlist: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/22695144/0
https://emswcd.org/native-plants/native-plant-benefits/
10/9/2016
Bald Eagle
The Maryland Zoo
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Description
 Size:
o Length: 22-27 in (56–69 cm)
o Wingspan: 45.7–46.5 in (116–118 cm)
 Weight: 1.5-2.5 lbs (24.3–57.3 oz )
 Physical Description: Ravens are among the largest passerine, or perching, birds.
Resembling a crow, their plumage is jet-black, with patches of iridescent purple and
blue-green on their wings and throats. Their necks are thick and covered in bushy
feathers, called “hackles”.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range
 Range: Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere
o Range extends into portions of the circumpolar Arctic.
 Habitat: Have a broad ecological tolerance
o Found in tundra habitats, as well as forest, grassland, desert, and coastal
habitats, and also thrives in areas areas populated by humans.
Diet
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Scavengers and opportunistic omnivores: Eat mostly carrion, also hunts small mammals
such as lemmings, nestlings, eggs, and insects, and feeds on grains and seeds.
o Ravens will travel to pack-ice to scavenge carrion left behind by polar bears and
arctic foxes.
Adaptations
 Intelligence:
o An excellent memory allows ravens to relocate food that was stored away
months earlier
o Cooperative scavenging: A group or pair of ravens may work together to steal a
meal from a predator. For example, if ravens encounter an animal feeding, one
or two members of the group will distract the animal while the others members
steal from the kill.
 Generalists: Adapted to exploit several different habitats and food sources.
Social Structure
 Highly social
 Communication: Ravens have a huge range of vocalizations, including alarm calls, chase
calls, territorial calls, and even calls for when their nests have been disturbed.
10/9/2016
Common Raven
The Maryland Zoo
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Lifespan/Life Cycle
 Wild: Unknown
 Captivity: Up to 24 years
Ecosystem relationships
 Predators: Ravens are capable of defending themselves against predators, though they
occasionally fall prey to animals such as polar bears, wolves, coyotes and birds of prey.
 Human interference: Ravens are often seen as pests by humans for their habit of eating
crops, scavenging garbage, stealing pet food, and taking bait from traps.
Reproduction
 Breeding season: February to March
 Behavior:
o Form long-lasting monogamous pairs and are territorial
 Pairs often soar at high altitudes together, and touch bills while perched
o Courtship displays consist of acrobatic flight displays, including rolls, dives,
tumbles and chases, and unusual vocalizations
o Large nests are constructed from twigs and other found objects on cliffs, in trees
and on manmade structures
 Nests are usually 5 feet wide and 2 feet deep
 Typically constructed in about 9 days and are often reused from year to
year
 Incubation: About 3 weeks; females incubate the eggs and males bring the female food
 Clutch Size: 4-6 greenish eggs with blue or olive splotches
 Maturation:
o Chicks are born altricial, or helpless, and remain in the nest for about four weeks
o Both parents feed the chicks
o Sexually mature after 2-4 years
Activity
 Diurnal: Active during the day and rest at night
 Food is sparse in the Arctic regions of their range. In order to survive, ravens spend most
of their active hours scavenging, hunting and foraging for food.
Other “Fun Facts”
 Ravens are capable of mimicking sounds such as other bird species, a dog’s bark or a car
driving down the road
 Ravens are playful. They have been observed sliding down snow banks on their backs
and playing tag, hide-and-go-seek and stick catching
 Crow or raven?: Ravens are much larger and sleeker than crows, and ravens have
wedge-shaped tails while crows have fan-shaped tails.
10/9/2016
Common Raven
The Maryland Zoo
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Conservation Status and Threats
 IUCN listed as Least Concern
 Protected as a non-game bird species under the Migratory Bird Treaty signed by the
United States, Canada and Mexico.
 Threats: Most western populations in North America have been stable for several years,
although the population in the eastern portion of their range experienced a significant
decline in the early 20th Century. Deforestation, the increase of crows, and human
harassment all contributed to this decline. During the second half of the 20th Century,
populations rebounded, and common ravens are slowly returning to much of their
former range.
At the Zoo
Polar Bear Watch exhibits two ravens, Loki and Edgar. Loki came to the Zoo in 2014 after being
deemed non-releasable due to a wing injury; it is estimated that she hatched in 2012. Edgar
came to the zoo in 1996; it is estimated that she hatched earlier that year.
What We Can Do
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Support conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo, as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more
about them, spread the word, and consider getting involved.
Additional Resources and References:
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Audubon: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-raven
Cornell Lab of Ornithology:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Raven/lifehistory#at_nesting
National Geographic: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/raven/
IUCN: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22706068/0
Maryland Zoo: http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/common-raven/
2013 PBW Interpretation Guide: http://www.marylandzoo.org/assets/PBWInterpretation-Guide-2013.pdf
https://books.google.com/books?id=kR_ZdmIaLbMC&pg=PA27-IA88&lpg=PA27IA88&dq=raven+adaptations+for+arctic&source=bl&ots=tOK9v1i8M2&sig=_AzMfTExjad
_XgptHfPwZlcz9w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiSpr6st9XOAhXL7iYKHVTQA4kQ6AEIejAR#v=onepage&q
=raven%20adaptations%20for%20arctic&f=false
10/9/2016
Common Raven
The Maryland Zoo