By: Chloe Ong
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be? I would be a polar bear. Polar bears are often considered amazing. From their impressive physical features to their important role in the ecosystem, there are plenty of reasons why anyone would want to be a polar bear.
How do polar bears keep warm, especially if they live in the Arctic or parts of Canada, Alaska, Russia, Greenland, and Norway? Polar bears keep warm with their two layers of fur: a protective fur coat made of water-repellent hair and a dense undercoat that keeps them shielded from heat loss. Shockingly, their outer layer of fur, which appears white and yellowish, is actually transparent. The hollow hair reflects light, giving the fur a white color to camouflage. The bear’s thick layer of fat underneath the skin acts as insulation, trapping the heat in the body.
Polar bears have exceptionally sensitive noses, allowing them to detect their prey primarily through their sense of smell. They can identify food from over 32 kilometers (20 miles) away, even through three feet of ice and snow. A polar bear’s favorite prey is most often a seal. The bears use their keen sense of smell to track down an active seal breathing hole and sit and wait for the unsuspecting seal to pop up. Then, the polar bear uses its mighty paw and long claws to pull the seal out of the water. Although seals make up the majority of their diet, polar bears are opportunistic feeders and will not pass up various food sources. They will hunt birds, small mammals, and shellfish and will scavenge any carcasses they encounter.
Polar bears have extraordinary swimming skills that would make any Olympic swimmer jealous. The bear’s large webbed paws allow them to move quickly in the water – up to 6 mph. They can use all four limbs, relying on their front legs to push off from the bottom of the water. Not only do their thick layers of fat and fur provide warmth, but their fat also provides ideal buoyancy. Polar bears can also remain underwater for two minutes, letting them take a break from swimming or hunting prey. They can hunt prey underwater using their front feet’s sharp claws to catch fish or seals. With the combination of webbed feet, thick fat, and the ability to adjust their body temperature, the polar bear is one of the animal kingdom’s greatest swimmers.
Polar bears are very important to the ecosystem as they are some of the largest land predators alongside grizzly bears. They serve as keystone species in their ecosystems. As apex predators, they are essential for regulating biological populations and ensuring the overall health and balance of their environment.
Also, over thousands of years, polars have been very significant to the culture of the Arctic people. Inuit hunters hold polar bears in high regard, viewing them as the most intelligent creatures in the Arctic. They symbolize the resilience, patience, and determination required to thrive in such a harsh environment.
Polar bears not only have amazing traits but are very symbolic. Polar bears are a powerful symbol of strength, courage, adaptability in the face of adversity and so much more. That is why I want to be a polar bear.
Image Credit by Robert Anthony Carbone