For some, these meals need to last them during the upcoming months when the Arctic ice has melted, and they are forced to spend their days on land waiting for the fall cold to once again form the very important ice. Polar bears spend their days hunting and sleeping after a good meal. Small bumps on the pads of a polar bear’s large, wide paws may add traction and help the bear walk on slippery ice. But most experts agree that polar bears are the longest bears, as males may measure over 10 feet (3 meters) when standing on their hind legs. Both polar bears and brown bears are big and are the largest land carnivores. The polar bear is the newest of the eight bear species, and scientists believe that the polar bear evolved about 200,000 years ago from brown bear ancestors. Sometimes, when weather conditions are particularly rough, other bears may dig temporary shelters, where they spend several days at a time. During this period, she gives birth and nurses her cubs. While in the den, the pregnant female’s activity level decreases and her metabolism slows down. Unlike brown bears and black bears, polar bears do not hibernate, and only pregnant females over-winter in dens. It is 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) thick. This fat may also help the bears float in the water. Scarring or residue on the fur can cause the “white” fur to appear to human eyes as cream colored, yellow, or even pink in the Arctic light.įat acts as a nutritional reserve and energy storage when food can’t be found, and may provide the ability to generate heat to help insulate polar bears from the freezing air and cold water. Even though polar bears look white, their hair is really made of clear, hollow tubes filled with air. On land, water rolls right off of the guard hairs. They live on ice and snow, but that’s not a problem-these bears have some cool ways to stay warm!Īn outer coat of long guard hairs that stick together when wet protects a dense, thick undercoat of fur. Baby, it's cold outside! Perhaps no other wildlife symbolizes the frozen tundra regions of the Earth as do polar bears.