The owner of the harsh Arctic: what color is the fur of a polar bear and other interesting facts

The international scientific name of the polar bear is Ursus maritimus, which translates as"sea bear". This is not surprising, because they are excellent swimmers, including for long distances. If necessary, the clubfoot can swim up to 600 km in search of prey. He runs as well as he swims. An adult animal can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.
The polar bear is one of the largest predators on earth. Its weight can reach a ton, and its length can be more than two meters.Interesting fact: bears Look white and fluffy, although their fur is not white at all. Each hair is transparent, empty inside, filled with air. And the skin is completely saturated black.This skin is necessary for this animal not to freeze, because it is known that black absorbs the heat of the sun's rays better than other colors and retains it. Nature also took care that our hero's fur did not get wet in the water. To do this, its coat is covered with a layer of special lubricant. All this allows you to adapt to the harsh Arctic climate and successfully hunt. It is not so easy to find food in the eternal snow, but the polar bear does it thanks to its excellent sense of smell.Interesting fact: a Bear can smell its prey at a distance of 15 km.

When the goal is reached, the Northern hunter begins the meal. Meat he prefers the subcutaneous fat of animals, but if very hungry, can eat a whole seal at a time, which is 15-20 kilograms. The clubfoot does not suffer from heaviness in the stomach, because its stomach is much larger than that of its relatives in appearance. This allows him to eat less often, but more.
Arctic bears are solitary and do not live in a pack, but they can "communicate" with each other and even start friendships. Despite this sociability, these animals are becoming a rare species. Due to poaching, environmental pollution, and other factors, their numbers are declining. The species is listed in the International red book and in the Red book of the Russian Federation.

The polar bear is a close relative of the brown bear. At first glance, it seems that they are very similar in appearance, because both belong to the bear family and the order of predators. But there are differences in their lifestyle, diet, appearance, and social structure. The polar bear weighs more than its neighbor in appearance, the weight of its brown brother does not usually exceed 450 kg. they Live in different conditions, so their diet is different. The brown bear is omnivorous, with three – quarters of its diet consisting of plant food, insects, and fish. Its Northern relative is an exceptionally predatory animal, although it can afford fish and algae. Relationships in their families are also different. Female polar bears give birth to offspring and take care of their cubs for about a year. Brown bears are more attentive parents, their children stay with their mother until the age of 3.Of course, the main difference between a polar bear and a brown tribesman is hibernation. Everyone knows that brown is the owner of the forest, lives according to seasonal cycles. By winter, it accumulates subcutaneous fat and goes to the den in the fall. The polar bear does not sleep in winter, but makes migrations to the South, closer to the land of the continent. Only a pregnant female lies dormant in a polar bear family. This short sleep lasts about 60 days.

Author: Natalia Afonina