Adaptations
1. Long, stiff hair between pads of bear's feet:
- Protect bear's feet from the cold
- Provides traction on the ice
- Help the bear swim in cold, icy water
- Also helps to keep bear from slipping on the slippery ice
- Hair usually shakes free any water or ice formed after swimming
2. Hollow fur
- Traps air inside, thus making the bear buoyant in water
- The layer of air provides insulation between their warm bodies and the cold Arctic air and water
- Insulation provided is lost when fur is covered with oil
3. Small and rounded ears
- Prevents water from entering the bear's ears and freezing their eardrums
- Helps conserve body warmth in sub-zero temperatures
4. Digging of dens several metres deep
- Shelter from winds that sweep over the ice in strong gusts, unbroken by trees or vegetation
5. Light colour of bear's fur
- Provides camouflage against the ice
- When hunting, bear covers black nose with its paws to hide it
6. Strong swimmers
- Polar bears can travel up to a speed of 10 kph
- Have been known to swim continuously for 100 km
- Enables them to catch prey
7. Thick layer of fat (blubber) under skin
- Up to 11 cm thick
- Insulates bear from arctic cold
- Overheating might occur
- To prevent overheating, the bear moves slowly, resting often
- Excess heat is released from the body through areas where fur is absent or where blood vessels are close to the skin (eg. muzzle, nose, ears, foot, pads, inner thighs, shoulders)
- Polar bear swims to cool down on warm days or after physical activity
8. Skin under fur is black
- This is to ensure that the polar bear has a better heat retention rate.
- Protect bear's feet from the cold
- Provides traction on the ice
- Help the bear swim in cold, icy water
- Also helps to keep bear from slipping on the slippery ice
- Hair usually shakes free any water or ice formed after swimming
2. Hollow fur
- Traps air inside, thus making the bear buoyant in water
- The layer of air provides insulation between their warm bodies and the cold Arctic air and water
- Insulation provided is lost when fur is covered with oil
3. Small and rounded ears
- Prevents water from entering the bear's ears and freezing their eardrums
- Helps conserve body warmth in sub-zero temperatures
4. Digging of dens several metres deep
- Shelter from winds that sweep over the ice in strong gusts, unbroken by trees or vegetation
5. Light colour of bear's fur
- Provides camouflage against the ice
- When hunting, bear covers black nose with its paws to hide it
6. Strong swimmers
- Polar bears can travel up to a speed of 10 kph
- Have been known to swim continuously for 100 km
- Enables them to catch prey
7. Thick layer of fat (blubber) under skin
- Up to 11 cm thick
- Insulates bear from arctic cold
- Overheating might occur
- To prevent overheating, the bear moves slowly, resting often
- Excess heat is released from the body through areas where fur is absent or where blood vessels are close to the skin (eg. muzzle, nose, ears, foot, pads, inner thighs, shoulders)
- Polar bear swims to cool down on warm days or after physical activity
8. Skin under fur is black
- This is to ensure that the polar bear has a better heat retention rate.
Unusual Physiological Traits
Compared to other bears, Polar Bears have more slender bodies and longer necks and heads. A Polar Bear's head is also oblong and relatively small compared to their body size.
Abilities
The Polar Bear's main ability is their tolerance for the cold Arctic water and air.
Threatened
The Polar Bear has been on the endangered species list since May 2008. The animal is considered endangered because scientists predict that as the Arctic continues to warm due to climate change, the sea ice will melt. Other threats include pollution, poaching, and industrial impact. The National Wildlife Federation and the World Wildlife Fund are involved in protecting the Polar Bears by using trackers to learn about the Polar Bears' habitat and diet. They are hoping this will keep the Polar Bear from becoming further endangered.
"POLAR BEARS - Physical Characteristics." POLAR BEARS - Physical Characteristics. Seaworld, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. <http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/polar-bear/physical-characteristics.htm>.
"Polar Bear FAQs." Polar Bears International. Polar Bears International, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. <http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-polar-bears/faqs>.