Yes, its true: the polar bear’s fur is not actually white

When the sun hits a polar bear‘s fur, light rays are trapped inside, creating a luminescent effect that gives it an off-white shade. The colour helps polar bears camouflage with the Arctic surroundings and icy environment. The body fat layer keeps them warm when swimming in chilly water and helps insulate them from snowy blizzards and rough weather.

Polar bears belong to the top of the food chain. (Source: Freepik)

Here are some cool facts about these burly creatures:

Polar bears are carnivores

A carnivorous member of the bear family, Polar bears feed on fatty seals for fat and energy to survive in harsh weather conditions. Their stomachs have a large food storage capacity and high protein and fat absorption.

They are great swimmers

Polar bears are skilled swimmers, moving through water at speeds up to six miles an hour. They are often considered marine mammals because of their time spent on sea ice, waddling through the icy waters of the Arctic with their webbed front paws and hind legs.

Hunting methods

Polar bears have interesting hunting methods. Their go-to trick is to stay still by a seal’s breathing hole, sometimes for hours or days, waiting for it to come up for air. Their slippery skin makes it difficult for bears to grip them. Thus, they can catch one or two out of the ten to fifteen seals they set their sights upon.

Ecological importance

What makes these mammals important to the ecology? Polar bears belong to the top of the food chain and play an essential role in regulating marine environment and Arctic livelihood. With climate change threatening long-term damage to water bodies up north, they fall directly in the line of impact and require immediate intervention in the form of rehabilitation and restoration. Polar bears were listed as a threatened species in the US under the Endangered Species Act in May 2008.

Loss of habitat and the threat of climate change aside, bear-human conflicts, increasing human industry, oil spills, and overharvesting can force them to spend more time on land than on ice, which can indirectly threaten the workings of the food chain.