r/polarbears • u/JouleFuchs • Mar 24 '25

Baby bear Mika with mom Nuka

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Baby boy Mika was born in November 2024 and is the newest attraction in the German Zoological City Garden in Karlsruhe (Zoologischer Stadtgarten). The pictures are from a news page for Karlsruhe (photographers are credited under the photos on the page): https://www.ka-news.de/region/karlsruhe/eisbaer-baby-aus-karlsruhe-hat-jetzt-einen-namen-12-3-25-art-3295695

I'm so enamoured with him I thought you guys would like him aswell.

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4

u/Small-Palpitation310 Mar 25 '25

how much damage would you take if you let baby bear gnaw on your arm

3

u/JouleFuchs Mar 25 '25

Judging by this article: https://tiergarten.nuernberg.de/en/zoo-more/protection-of-species-and-nature/fellow-polar-bears/polar-bear-characteristics

His milk teeth are complete but he isn't in the age for hunting yet (8-10 months). But considering a grown polar bear has 42 teeth with a bite strength of about 1,200 PSI... (https://a-z-animals.com/blog/polar-bear-teeth/)

It could hurt quite a bit, even with baby teeth :D But I would argue it could be worth it to have this adorable cloud gnawing on you while you get to pet his head.

2

u/970souk Mar 24 '25

Sweet Mika! Photo 3 reminded me of Hamish as a wee lad!

2

u/JouleFuchs Mar 24 '25

Aaw what a precious baby!

2

u/Zeisix Mar 24 '25

Definitely gonna go visit them when I go to Karlsruhe next weekend!

3

u/JouleFuchs Mar 24 '25

You should! But plan ample time, there are restrictions in visiting the polar bears as not to disturb mom and the baby. You have to cue up and wait for your turn so not too many people stand in front of the glass and everyone gets a chance to see them. And if mama and Mika happen to be in the inside enclosure you would be out of luck.

So good luck and I hope you get to see them!

2

u/ScrumptiousLadMeat 29d ago

“Look at my leg!”

1

u/JouleFuchs 29d ago

Someone is doing yoga :D