Why do polar bears live in the north, and the penguins in the south (besides that they're born that way)?

Question

I know tons of explanations about land and ice theories but I've always wanted one that really made sense...

Answer 1

It may have something to do with the early migration and settlement of their ancestors to those regions. Remember that there was a time when there were lots of land bridges and when those disappeared, they probably got stuck. If you think about it, the North and South Poles are literally half way around the world from each other. Plus, it wouldn't be a good thing if they lived together. They'd be competing for food and space and the polar bears would probably keep killing penguins.

Answer 2

Never thought about that. I think you have to stick with the theories; for the polar bears to get to the south, they would have to trek through a climate that was, for the most part, hostile and foreign to them. On the other hand, for the penguins to go north, their life cycle clocks would have to be reversed. Some penguins do live on the Pacific Coast in Peru, I believe (rather different species than the usual suspects you see in Antarctica).