![]() Given their cold habitat polar bears are known for consuming various sources of meat, which is the primary source of food in their region. Using their strong arms and powerful jaws these large bears are able to capture their prey quite effectively and defend themselves against most attacks. To capture prey polar bears have 42 teeth with large, sharp canine teeth designed for biting, grabbing and tearing. While the polar bear does have large paws its tail is one of the shortest among the various bear species. Papillae, or small bumps, cover the paw pads and help the bears grip the ice and prevent slipping.Īt the ends of the footpads are thick curved claws that can grow over two inches long. Like the rest of their skin, their footpads are also black. One polar bear has even been observed swimming for nine days in order to reach a piece sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. In fact in rare instances a polar bear can swim continuously for hundreds of miles when traveling from one location to the next using its blubber for buoyancy and its large paws to propel itself through the water. Polar bears’ paws are also ideal for swimming because they act as large paddles. While they tend to pace the snow at around 3 – 4 mph they can reach speeds of up to 25 mph for short bursts. In fact their paws can grow as big as one foot across, which makes them perfect for treading on thin ice and roaming the Arctic. When it comes to moving and navigating through the cold Arctic environment they are born in polar bears have large paws that enable them to walk on land comfortable and easily. Under their fur, polar bears have black skin. In addition to their thick layer of blubber they also posses a thick coat of fur (as mentioned earlier) that helps prevent wind from making contact with their skin and helps keep heat close to their body. The thick layer of blubber acts as a strong insulator and helps keep the vital organs from freezing, especially when diving underwater. In order to survive in these cold climates polar bears have a thick layer of blubber, which can measure up to 4 inches thick in order to help the polar bear stay warm in freezing temperatures. This white appearance can make polar bears difficult to spot in the snow and may help them when they are hunting for prey or trying to avoid detection.Īt other times of the year, especially before molting, polar bears can actually look yellow, and they may appear green when algae grows in their hair shafts. It is really transparent and pigment-free, but the hollow core reflects and scatters light, giving off a white appearance in sunlight. Polar bears are instantly recognizable due to their white fur, but their fur is actually not even white! tall while females measuring between 6 – 7.10 ft. In terms of height males may reach lengths of 7.10 – 9.10 ft. with an average weight of around 850 – 950 lbs.įemales generally weigh around half the amount of their male counterparts, however during pregnancy a female polar bear may double in weight and actually outweigh a male polar bear. When it comes to size and weight polar bears a quite tremendous.Ī fully grown male polar bear may weight between 750 – 1,550 lbs. This article will explore the physical characteristics of polar bears, their diet and hunting methods, social structure and the threats they face from humans and the earth. ![]() Today, scientists estimate that there are roughly 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears left on Earth, but their existence is being threatened by a number of factors such as pollution, climate change, oil exploration and excessive hunting. These large animals are known for their ability to survive in some of the coldest and harshest places on earth, such as Arctic.įrom an evolutionary stand point polar bears are believed to have branched off from their ancestors, the brown bears, approximately 2.6 million years ago during the Pleistocene era, which lasted until around 12,000 years ago with the oldest known polar bear fossil records dating back 130,000 – 110,000 years ago. Polar bears (aka the white bear and ice bear) are one of the most amazing and fascinating animals on the planet.
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