ABSTRACT
The bears have several unique adaptations for life on the polar sea ice. These include short tails and small ears to help reduce heat loss, thick fat layers of up to 11.5 cm (
∼
3 in.), and completely furred bodies (aside from nose and foot pads), to protect them from temperatures that can drop to
−
45°C (
−
49°F) during the severe cold of winter. Polar bear hair is of two types: (1) short, white, dense fur close to the body; and (2) long, transparent, hollow guard hairs that help keep the fur from matting while the animal is in the water. The bear’s fat also aids in buoyancy for swimming. The skin of polar bears is black, which tends to absorb more radiant heat. Unlike other bears, the polar bear has a small, streamlined head and an elongated body that makes it more streamlined for swimming.
