Locomotion
Feet: Polar Bears have heavily furred paws that provide warmth for their long treks across snow and ice. Their paws are slightly webbed to aid in walking over snow and ice. Their wide paws prevent sea ice from breaking because the weight of the polar bear is distributed while walking. The footpads of the polar bear have a kind of "non-slip" surface to provide traction on ice.
Fur: Polar Bears have a thick layer of fur which helps trap heat while swimming in the frigid Arctic water.
Fur: Polar Bears have a thick layer of fur which helps trap heat while swimming in the frigid Arctic water.
Polar Bears walk with a steady, lumbering gait. They walk with their heels touching the ground first, much like humans. The front paws swing outward with each step, landing slightly pigeon-toed.
Video of a Polar Bear walking
Video of a Polar Bear walking
"Polar Bear." - National Wildlife Federation. National Wildlife Federation, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/mammals/polar-bear.aspx
Derocher, Andrew E. "Polar Bears and Climate Change." Actionbioscience. Actionbioscience.org, May 2008. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
http://www.actionbioscience.org/environment/derocher.html
"Polar Bears." Polar Bears. Seaworld, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/PolarBears/pbbehavior.html