Polar Bears
Polar bears live on ice and snow, but that’s not a problem—these bears have some cool ways to stay warm!
Hair-- An outer coat of long hair (called guard hairs) sticks together when wet and protects a thick undercoat of fur. On land, water rolls right off of the guard hairs. Even though polar bears look white, their hair is really made of clear, hollow tubes filled with air. Stuff on the bear's fur can cause the “white” fur to appear to human eyes as cream, yellow, or even pink in the Arctic light.
Fat-- They use their own fat for energy when food can’t be found. Their fat stops them from feeling cold in the freezing air and cold water. This fat may also help the bears float in the water. It is 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimetres) thick.
Shelter-- Unlike brown bears and black bears, polar bears do not hibernate. Only pregnant females stay under the snow in dens during the winter. While in the den, the pregnant bear gives birth and nurses her cubs. Sometimes, when weather conditions are particularly rough, other bears may dig temporary shelters where they spend several days at a time.
Hair-- An outer coat of long hair (called guard hairs) sticks together when wet and protects a thick undercoat of fur. On land, water rolls right off of the guard hairs. Even though polar bears look white, their hair is really made of clear, hollow tubes filled with air. Stuff on the bear's fur can cause the “white” fur to appear to human eyes as cream, yellow, or even pink in the Arctic light.
Fat-- They use their own fat for energy when food can’t be found. Their fat stops them from feeling cold in the freezing air and cold water. This fat may also help the bears float in the water. It is 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimetres) thick.
Shelter-- Unlike brown bears and black bears, polar bears do not hibernate. Only pregnant females stay under the snow in dens during the winter. While in the den, the pregnant bear gives birth and nurses her cubs. Sometimes, when weather conditions are particularly rough, other bears may dig temporary shelters where they spend several days at a time.
For such a big animal, they sure start out small! Cubs weigh about 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) when born and are hairless and have their eyes closed at birth. They depend on the mother to keep them warm and fed. One third of the milk from a polar bear mother is fat. This helps the cubs grow quickly, and by April they weigh more than 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and start exploring with their mother outside the den. At about two years of age they are ready to be on their own.
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Say hello to Humphrey!
Humphrey the polar bear was born in November 2013, to mum Aurora and dad Inukshuk, two of the Toronto Zoo’s adult polar bears. When he was born the zoo was worried that he wasn't growing strong enough so he was raised by a team of veterinarians and animal care experts. They continuously managed and monitored his temperature, weight, nutrition and overall health as a newborn and small cub.