The Cutest Killers|最可爱的杀手

The Cutest Killers

by Daniel Howard

Cute and lethal, polar bears are some of the world's most beloved animals.

　　Polar bears are among the most recognizable animals on Earth. _(1)_ These enormous beasts are only cute from a distance, though. In fact, they are the world's largest land carnivores, and have been known to eat humans. A full grown male can be between 350 and 500 kilograms, with females generally being half that size. Though they will eat virtually anything, most of their diet consists of seals. _(2)_ Polar bears are also strong swimmers, a skill they use to travel between large packs of floating ice or hunt for food.

　　All polar bears live in the Arctic, mostly in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, and Norway. _(3)_ Some polar bears will travel thousands of kilometers each year in search of the best hunting conditions.

　　Polar bears are well adapted to their cold habitats. _(4)_ A small head results in giving off less heat, and a long neck gives the cold Arctic air a chance to warm up before hitting the bear's lungs.

　　As a result of global warming, however, all those adaptations may not be enough. Arctic ice is melting and not returning, which is making it difficult for polar bears to hunt. Today there are between 25,000 and 35,000 of these beautiful animals left in the wild, but the population is declining rapidly. _(5)_ They are majestic animals that should be cherished and protected for future generations.

(A) A changing environment could mean polar bears will disappear forever, which would be a real shame.

(B) They are known for their broad shoulders, large paws, and white fur, which give the impression of huge stuffed animals.

(C) Their fur is warm and waterproof, their bodies have a thick layer of blubber, and even the shape of their head and neck protects them from the cold.

(D) They often catch seals as the latter come up for air or to take a rest.

(E) They tend to live far enough north where there is ice most of the year for them to hunt.

 

最可爱的杀手

北极熊外型可爱却又相当致命，是世界上最受喜爱的动物之一。

　　北极熊是地球上最容易辨认的动物之一。牠们以其宽阔的肩膀、大大的爪子和白色的皮毛而闻名，那给人留下一种巨型填充动物玩具的印象。然而，这些巨大无比的野兽只有远观时是可爱的。事实上，牠们是全世界体型最大的陆上肉食动物，而牠们据信会吃人类。一只发育成熟的公北极熊大约有三百五十到五百公斤重，而母熊一般为公熊的一半大小。虽然牠们几乎无所不吃，但牠们的饮食大多是海豹。牠们通常会在海豹上岸呼吸或休息时捕食牠们。北极熊也相当擅于游泳，牠们运用该技巧在大块的浮冰之间活动或觅食。

　　所有的北极熊都栖息在北极地带，大多数在阿拉斯加、加拿大、格陵兰、俄罗斯和挪威。牠们往往居住于足够远的北方，当地一年中大多数时间都有冰可以让牠们打猎。有些北极熊每年都会跋涉数千公里以找寻最佳的打猎条件。

　　北极熊非常适应寒冷的栖息地。牠们的毛既温暖又防水，牠们的身体覆盖了一层厚厚的脂肪，甚至牠们的头型和颈型都能帮助御寒。头型小就会散发较少的热能，而长脖子也让寒冷的北极空气在侵入北极熊的肺之前有时间回温。

　　然而，由于全球暖化的缘故，所有这些适应能力可能也不够了。北极冰层正在融化且没有恢复的迹象，使得北极熊狩猎困难重重。如今野生地带大约还有两万五千只到三万五千只这种美丽动物，不过牠们的数量正在急速下降当中。环境的变迁可能意味着北极熊会永远消失，那将会是一个极大的遗憾。牠们是相当雄伟的动物，在未来的世代应该受到珍惜与保护。

答案： 1. B 2. D 3. E 4. C 5. A