Science & Technology

Their fur is clear, not white.

Polar bears are large, carnivorous mammals that live in parts of Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Norway, and Russia. Global warming is negatively affecting the beautiful animals’ habitat, as they prefer cold, icy temperatures. As ancestors of the brown bear, polar bears have adapted both physically and mentally to survive in harsh conditions.

The Evolution of Polar Bears

Scientists believe that polar bears evolved from brown bears. The Ursidae family has existed for and evolved over millions of years. The oldest known fossil of a polar bear was found on Norway’s Prince Charles Foreland in 2004. The fossil is believed to be between 130,000 to 110,000 years old. During the Pleistocene period, Siberia was covered by glaciers and icebergs, which led the bears to endure severe isolation, causing the brown bears to evolve into what we know today as polar bears.

Appearance and Behavior

Polar bears are extremely large mammals. The largest ever recorded weighed 2,209 pounds and stood more than 11 feet tall on its back legs. Average males weigh around 1,300 pounds and are often much larger than their female counterparts. They are approximately six feet in length and have dense fur that helps them survive the frigid conditions in which they live.

A polar bear’s thick fur allows the animal to stay warm, along with a layer of blubber that retains heat. An undercoat covered in clear, hollow hairs makes the polar bear appear to be white. These clear hairs trap heat from the sun and transmit it to the bear’s black skin that lies beneath all the fur.

Polar bears are great swimmers. Their wide front paws help them to reach speeds of up to 6 mph. They also have longer necks than other bears. This feature helps them keep their heads above water while swimming.

These amazing bears are solitary animals and magnificent hunters. Their ability to hunt both on land and in the water makes them apex predators. They are not only good swimmers, with the ability to hold their breath for up to two minutes, but also incredibly fast, capable of running at speeds of up to 25 mph. They are always in search of food and will swim far out into the waters to find a meal.

Preferred Prey and Habitats

Because of their size, polar bears have massive appetites. Seals are their prey of choice. However, fish, birds, berries, reindeer, and even walrus will suffice. Using their great sense of smell, polar bears locate the remains of deceased seals, walruses, and whales for a good meal.

The areas where polar bears live are highly affected by global warming. The warm months are coming earlier than before, and the icebergs and glaciers are melting at record speed. This trend threatens the bear’s livelihood and concerns scientists about their long-term survival. Some experts fear that the polar bear will become extinct within the next 30 years.

Polar Bears and Coca-Cola?

Polar bears have been a mascot for the famous soft drink company Coca-Cola for decades. The first time a polar bear appeared in an advertisement for the company was in 1922. After the initial ads, the use of polar bears became a little stagnant until the early 1990s. In the years to follow, polar bears have been an iconic symbol of the soft drink company, though they are no longer used as part of Coca-Cola’s campaign strategy. Still, the lovable polar bears remain in the minds of millions of consumers.

1. A polar bear’s thick fur allows the animal to stay warm, and its undercoat is covered in clear, hollow hairs that make the polar bear appear to be white.
2. Because of their size, polar bears have massive appetites that are satisfied by seals, fish, birds, berries, reindeer, and even walrus.
3. Polar bears are great swimmers, aided by wide front paws and longer necks than other bears, which help them keep their head above water while swimming.