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The amazing anatomy of the polar bear

Visitors to the Arctic Circle may not realize that the region is named after its most famous furry resident: the polar bear. From the Greek arktos, or ‘bear’, comes the word Arctic, a nod to this magnificent and imposing animal. If you are planning to go on a wildlife tour that includes bear watching in the Arctic Circle, you will have the opportunity to experience the size, stature, and power of the polar bear for yourself.

While most people have only seen these incredible animals in nature documentaries, seeing one (or more) of them on a bear watching tour is an experience like no other.

Body

In terms of overall physical appearance (except for color, of course), the polar bear is very similar to its sister species, the brown bear. However, they have evolved to survive the bitter climate, with specially adapted bodies, skin, fur, legs, and teeth that allow them to thrive even in the harshest Arctic conditions.

It is very easy to distinguish between the male and the female, as they differ dramatically in size and weight. Males weigh between 350 and 700 kg, but females only weigh half. Similarly, adult males reach 2.4 to 3 meters in length, while females average between 1.8 and 2.4 meters.

You may also notice the polar bear’s unusually long neck and snout. These features help them search deep holes in the sea ice to capture seals, their main source of food. They can lurk on the ice for many hours waiting for a seal to come out for air, and when that time comes, the long neck and snout are great for diving into the breathing hole and catching the unfortunate creature.

Fur and fur

Polar bears are insulated from the arctic cold by two layers of fur: a dense undercoat, which prevents body heat from escaping, and the longer outer layer of protective fur. The guard’s coat appears white or tan, but is actually transparent; These hollow, transparent hairs scatter and reflect light, making the animal appear white, a practical adaptation that allows it to blend in with its snowy surroundings. (You’ll have to keep an eye out for these well-camouflaged creatures to see them on your bear-watching tour.)

Beneath these two layers of fur, the bear’s fur is darkly pigmented, almost black. This allows it to absorb and retain the heat of the sun through the transparent coat. Beneath the fur, a layer of fat up to 10cm thick provides additional warmth and also helps the bear stay afloat while swimming.

Legs

The animal’s large, slightly webbed legs help it distribute its weight while walking on snow (like a snowshoe) and also make it a very powerful swimmer. The foot pads are covered in small soft bumps that provide excellent traction on ice. All bears lose much of their heat through their paws, but the polar bear has adapted to grow hair between the toes and around the pads, helping to conserve heat and energy in the arctic cold. . In fact, it’s so good at conserving heat that it starts to overheat when temperatures hit 10 degrees Celsius.

Teeth

The sharp teeth and powerful jaws reflect the carnivorous diet of the animal. The long, widely spaced canine teeth are adapted for catching and holding prey, especially its primary target, the ringed seal. The polar bear’s cheek teeth are sharper and more jagged than those of the brown bear, making them well adapted for ripping and chewing meat.

While on a bear watching tour, you may have the opportunity to see the many physical adaptations of this magnificent creature in action. They have learned to survive in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet, and not just to survive, but to thrive as one of the most powerful predators in the world.

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