403 images Created 24 Jun 2017
Svalbard_4
Did you know that polar bears can weigh as much as 10 large men (800kgs / 1765lbs) and they can measure up to 10 ft tall when standing on their hind legs? Females are half the size of males but polar bears are the largest land carnivores in the world. They are at the top of the food chain (with orca whales) and have no natural enemies ...except for humans. They are hypercarnivores - meaning that their diet consists of more than 70% meat.
Did you know that their skin is black? Black skin helps to soak in the sun's warming rays. Their white fur acts as a camouflage in snow and ice. Polar bear hair is made of clear, hollow tubes filled with air. The hair shaft is pigment-free, transparent, and has a hollow core that scatters and reflects light, making it appear white.
Every summer, bears shed their coats and grow new ones. Shedding starts in May or June and lasts several weeks. Their white coats yellow with age.
Did you know that their skin is black? Black skin helps to soak in the sun's warming rays. Their white fur acts as a camouflage in snow and ice. Polar bear hair is made of clear, hollow tubes filled with air. The hair shaft is pigment-free, transparent, and has a hollow core that scatters and reflects light, making it appear white.
Every summer, bears shed their coats and grow new ones. Shedding starts in May or June and lasts several weeks. Their white coats yellow with age.
