Here's why:
* Gestation: Polar bear pregnancies last around 195-265 days.
* Denning: They give birth in snow dens during the winter, staying there for 2-3 months while the cubs develop.
* Lactation: Mothers nurse their cubs for about two years, providing them with essential nourishment and protection.
This extended period of care for cubs, coupled with the demanding process of finding food and surviving in the Arctic environment, leads to a longer reproductive cycle for female polar bears.