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Saturday, November 26, 2016

Did you know



Around the age of four or five the female polar bear can start having babies. They usually only have two cubs and they have these babies in a cave they've dug in a large snow drift.  They stay there over winter and come out in spring with the babies. 



The babies are much smaller than human babies when they're born.  They are the size of a rat and weigh little more than a pound.  They can grow to full man size in a year if they have lots of food.

Male polar bears may grow 10 feet tall and weigh over 1400 pounds.  Females reach seven feet and weigh 650 pounds.  In the wild polar bears live up to age 25


Despite what we think, a polar bear's fur is not white.  Each hair is a clear hollow tube.  Polar bears look white because each hollow hair reflects the light. On sunny days, it traps the sun's infrared heat and keeps the bear warm at 98 degrees F (when they're resting).
Polar bear fur is oily and water repellent. The hairs don't mat when wet, allowing the polar bears to easily shake free of water and any ice that may form after swimming.
Underneath the fur, a polar bear's skin is actually black -- the black skin soaks up the sun's heat and helps them stay warm.
Polar bears also have a 4 inch layer of fat underneath their skin.  This prevents them from losing any of their heat.
 
Polar bears have wide front paws with slightly webbed toes that help them swim.  They paddle with their front feet and steer with their hind feet.  Paw pads with rough surfaces help prevent polar bears from slipping up on the ice. Polar bears have been known to swim 100 miles at a stretch.

Polar bears primarily eat seals and humans are the polar bears only predator.
It is said that Polar bears are left-handed but I sure don't know how they came to that conclusion, don't think you would want to ask him.............



 

6 comments:

Tired Teacher said...

Interesting details on this majestic animal. I knew they had black skin under their coat but didn't realize the hair was actually hollow tubes.

Linda said...

I knew very little of this information!!
Polar Bears and Coca-Cola always comes to mind. Now I have actual knowledge to go with that!

Granny Annie said...

God sure did a good job creating a polar bear:-)

Debbie said...

i always enjoy seeing them at a few of the zoo's we visit. i really like the last image, they are beautiful!!!

Michelle said...

I didn't know they had black skin underneath their coats. Interesting!

Lady Di Tn said...

How very interesting. I know when I arrive here that I will learn something really good to know. Thanks and Peace