Would you like to know some curious facts about polar bears? It sure does. Who doesn’t love this big furry species with a beautiful white color? Polar bears are at the top of the food chain in the Arctic. But as temperatures rise, that ice melts and threatens to wipe out the entire species. A sad reality. Join us in Supercurioso to learn about the most interesting curiosities of polar bears.
10 curious facts about polar bears that you should know
The first thing you need to know about polar bears is that they are very important to the health of the waters and lands of that region, as well as to the cultures and economies of the people who live there. They are charming animals that depend entirely on the sea, where they find their main source of food and spend most of their time. Now yes, let’s begin to know the best curiosities of polar bears.
1. Why is the fur of polar bears only white?
We start on this journey through the curiosities of polar bears, telling you about their fur, one of their main characteristics. His thick white fur works perfectly for him to blend in with his Arctic surroundings. In fact, it is so well adapted to Arctic temperatures that it sometimes seems to blend in with snow. Polar bears have a thick layer of blubber under their fur to keep them warm, even during the coldest days of the year.
2. Your diet
The next fun fact about polar bears has to do with their eating habits. These mammals are mainly carnivores. They feed on ringed seals as their main food source, as they require a high intake of fat in order to survive.
A polar bear’s stomach can hold up to about 15% of your own body weight by grouping all the food ingested, while their robust digestive system is capable of absorbing around 84% of the proteins and 97% of the fats they consume.
3. Your cleaning routine
Another characteristic of polar bears that stands out a lot is that they like to keep themselves clean, because it helps them preserve the insulating properties of their fur.
Dirty, matted fur does not work as well as clean, smooth fur at keeping its temperature constant. When they eat, polar bears normally bathe in the snow, either for a swim or roll around in it to keep warm. They also like to roll around in the snow to cool off. Despite the strong and extreme conditions of the environment in which they are found, polar bears still they can overheat.
4. Communication in the species
This is one of our favorite polar bear curiosities. These beautiful animals communicate with each other using only their feet. Each step they take leaves behind a scent trail of perfume, and it is this that allows them to communicate over vast areas.
5. The displacement of polar bears
Another of the curious data of the species, will surely surprise you. Although it may not seem so due to its weight and large size, polar bears are capable of running at fairly high speeds. In fact, They can run at more than 50 kilometers per hour, staying in optimal conditions and for prolonged periods.
6. Is it true that polar bears have three eyes?
Yes, this curiosity, surely you did not expect it. The third Eye of polar bears works like an optic, and allows them to see better and more clearly. This eyelid offers them high protection against blindness due to snow.
7. They don’t drink water
Add to the curiosities of polar bears, the fact that these animals They don’t need to drink water, and that’s fortunate, since most of the Arctic’s fresh water is frozen.
Not drinking water does not imply any problem for the health of these animals, they have evolved so much that they no longer need their consumption. By breaking down all the fat stored in their huge bodies, they get all the water they need to stay healthy.
8. They don’t get wet
And although we tell you that these furry ones like to wallow in the snow and stay clean, among the curious facts about polar bears we add the fact that they don’t get wet
This is explained by their two thick layers of skin, which protect them. One is outside and the other is inside, and they serve to protect your skin from moisture more safely. and thus prepare them to continue their day after the bath.
After their bath, they just need a quick shake to get dry again and they’re ready to go about their day.
9. Where do polar bears live?
Where there is ice, a polar bear can live without any problem, that is why the Arctic is its perfect home. They depend on sea ice for access by seals, their main source of food, as well as to rest and reproduce.
Approximately 20,000 to 30,000 polar bears are found in the wild and about 60% of subpopulations are found in Canada.
10. Why is it said that polar bears may become extinct?
We close the curiosities of polar bears, with a reality that alarms and worries. Climate change has caused a negative impact on its current habitat, which has cataloged the polar bear as a threatened species under the “Endangered Species Act”. Conflicts between polar bears and humans also represent a major threat to these animals, due to overfishing and industrial impact.
Expectations are that there will be an increase in oil extraction in the Arctic Ocean. This will likely affect polar bears in many ways. In the event of spills, oil spilled into the water could be fatal to polar bears and a spill up the food chain would cause the entire food supply to be disrupted.
And you, Did you know these curious facts about polar bears? Do you think preventive measures should be taken from now on to safeguard their habitat? Feel free to share your opinion with us in a comment. We will be happy to read you. And if you are, like us, an animal fanatic, do not miss the article in which we tell you about the curiosities of panda bears, as well as this charming selection of the most beautiful animal phrases. See you in an upcoming supercurious article!