Polar bear cubs are born during the winter months in dens made of snow and ice, where they stay warm and protected. At birth, they are incredibly small, weighing around 1 to 1.5 pounds, and are blind and covered with a thin layer of fur. As they nurse and grow under the care of their mother, they develop thick fur coats that help them adapt to the Arctic environment. By the time they leave the den, usually around 3-4 months old, they have grown significantly and are ready to learn survival skills such as hunting. Polar bears rely on sea ice for hunting seals, their primary food source, but climate change poses a significant threat to their survival as the ice continues to shrink. Conservation efforts are crucial to protecting these animals and their habitat.