Polar bears have one of the lowest reproduction rates among large mammals. A female usually gives birth only once every three years, most often to one or two cubs. Cubs are born tiny and blind during the cold Arctic winter, inside a snow den their mother builds for protection. For several months, the mother does not eat or leave the den, living only on her stored fat to nurse and warm her cubs. This deep bond of care and sacrifice makes each cub extremely precious. If a cub is harmed or taken away, the mother may react with intense aggression, driven by instinct to protect her only hope for the next generation.

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