How does a Polar Bear adapt to its habitat?
The 2″-6″ guard hairs provide camouflage and protection against heat loss while on land and provides buoyancy at sea. Their Long snout helps warm the inhaled air. Polar bears have developed an excellent sense of smell. They can easily smell a whale carcass 20 miles away or seals up to 6′ beneath the snow and ice. The eyes have an “extra eyelid” (transparent) that protects the corneas of the eyes and allows for good underwater vision. They use their gigantic paws to stun or kill their prey, they also kill with a bite to the head, crushing the skull. Paws broad and paddle-like with partially webbed toes. Hair between toes and pads protect against cold, and black pads covered with short, stiff hairs and tiny ripples help prevent slipping on the ice. Their huge paws act as paddles as well as snowshoes, helping to spread out their weight.
