World's Largest Land Carnivore: Polar bears are the largest land carnivores on Earth. Adult males can weigh up to 1,600 pounds and reach up to 10 feet in length, making them massive predators.
Super Swimmers: Polar bears are remarkable swimmers, capable of swimming continuously for days at a time. They can cover distances of over 60 miles in a single swim and have been recorded swimming more than 200 miles.
Insulating Fur and Blubber: Their thick fur and a layer of blubber up to 4.5 inches thick keep them warm in the freezing Arctic temperatures. Their fur is actually transparent and reflects light, which helps them blend into their icy surroundings.
Exceptional Sense of Smell: Polar bears have an extraordinary sense of smell, capable of detecting seals nearly a mile away and even under several feet of compacted snow. This keen sense helps them locate their primary food source.
Massive Paws: Their paws can measure up to 12 inches across, acting like snowshoes to distribute their weight when walking on thin ice. The rough pads and sharp claws provide traction on ice and are used to catch and hold prey.
High-Fat Diet: Polar bears mainly eat the blubber of seals, which provides the high-fat content needed to survive the cold environment. They can consume up to 100 pounds of blubber in a single meal.
Cubs' Small Size at Birth: When born, polar bear cubs are incredibly tiny, weighing around 1 pound. They are born in dens made by their mothers and stay there for the first few months of their lives, growing rapidly before emerging in the spring.
Climate Change Threats: Polar bears are highly affected by climate change. Melting sea ice reduces their hunting grounds and forces them to travel greater distances for food, impacting their health and reproduction.