International Polar Bear Day aims to celebrate the larger than life creature on February 27, while also raising awareness about its extinction. According to the World Wildlife Fund, polar bears are a threatened species due to climate change and data deficiency, which makes it hard to determine how many polar bears are left in the world.
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We all know about the plight of polar bears, how much do we actually know about them? Here are some facts you may not have known before.
Polar bear facts
1. Polar bears evolved from brown bears
According to scientists, polar bears are a subspecies of the brown bear. The icon of the Arctic is said to have first originated about 150,000 years ago — information discovered only a decade ago, thanks to a rare jawbone found on a Norwegian Island.
2. Polar bears aren’t actually white
According to WWF, underneath their thick fur, these animals have black skin. Their fur is translucent and hollow but when light reflects off of it, it appears white.
3. Its scientific name means ‘sea bear’
Ursus maritimus is a polar bear’s scientific name. It means sea bear in Latin and is quite fitting if you ask us.
4. A group of indigenous people refuse to say polar bear
The Laplanders, from northern Europe, traditionally call polar bears “God’s Dog’ or ‘Old Man in the Fur Cloak.’ They won’t say polar bear for fear of offending it.
5. Swimming is in their DNA
Polar bears are excellent swimmers – staying in the water for long periods of time and reaching far distances. Their large paws help them paddle through icy waters
6. Polar bears are fast on land
In a full-on sprint, this majestic animal of the Arctic can hit 25 miles per hour. And for a male weighing 900 pounds, that’s pretty impressive.
7. Males can weigh up to 1,200 pounds
While adult female polar bears weigh anywhere from 330 to 650 pounds, their counterparts start at an astonishing 775 pounds.
8. They’re considered marine mammals
Polar bears spend a majority of their life in the ocean searching for food. When they aren’t getting their paws wet, scientists see them exploring the sea ice.
9. Their sense of smell is superb
A polar bear is always smelling for its main source of food — seals. They can smell one almost a mile away and as deep as 3 feet below compacted snow.
10. Polar bears are known for still-hunting
Instead of chasing after seals, polar bears use their sense of smell to find them underwater and then wait for them to pop back up.
11. Polar bears touch noses to share food
If a passing bear spots a kill already being feasted on, it will approach the dominant bear and carefully touch noses to ask for permission to share.
12. They roll in the snow to clean themselves
After a meal or an adventure, polar bears get down in the snow and roll around to clean off their fur. This is important to help keep their insulation in tip-top shape
13. There are about 31,000 wandering the world
According to the World Wildlife Fund, polar bears can be found in Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Russia, Norway, and of course, the Arctic. Sadly, because of climate change, as of 2008, they have been classified as a threatened species in the US.
14. Polar bears can live up to 25 years in the wild
With their tough exteriors and drive to hunt, polar bears can live a fairly long life. The oldest sea bear was named Debby. She was 42-years-old and lived in Canada.
15. Cubs usually have birthdays in December
After mating and spending time in snow caves, mothers give birth to their cubs in December. In the first year, they’re called COYs (cubs of the year).
16. Polar bears don’t hibernate
Although they evolved from brown bears, this Arctic icon doesn’t hibernate, according to the National Wildlife Federation. During the winter, sea ice forms and it’s the perfect time to hunt for seals.
Image: Unsplash
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