Animal's Body: size, color, type of covering and special body parts.

Adult polar bears stand 3 1/2 feet tall when on all four legs. They are 8 to 11 feet long. They weigh up to 1300 pounds.

Their fur color varies from white to yellow. Polar bears skin is actally black.

Polar bears are covered with a heavy fur. The white fur is important camouflage for the bears as they hunt prey on the ice pack.

Polar bears have a heavy body with strong legs and necks. They have small furry ears and a very short tail.

Their toes are webbed, like ducks, to help them swim. They use their front feet as paddles to swim through the water.

Animal's Habitat: location in the world they live, type of habitat, and type of home

The polar bear is found in all polar regions of the northern hemisphere. This includes Russia, Norway, Greenland, the United States and Canada.

Polar Bears live where the sea meet the shoreline. This is the habitat of their favorite prey, the seal. This also the best place to gather food, mate, and care for their young.

Polar bears will dig a den in the snow to stay warm during a winter storm, or cool during summer heat.

Animals Living Habits: eating, sleeping and moving.

Polar bears eat mostly seals and walrus pups. They will also eat bird eggs, rodents, berries and anything else that is edible

Most polar bears sleep for seven to eight hours, about like humans do. They also take naps.

Polar bears can walk, run or swim. When walking they like to walk slowly. When chasing prey, they can run as fast as a horse, but only for a short distance. They have dense fur on their legs for traction when moving on ice.

Fun Facts

• Females are the only polar bears who will hibernate.
• Bear cubs will stay with the mother for the first 2 and 1/2 years.
• The necks of polar bears are long so they can keep their heads above water when swimming.
• Polar bears have hollow hairs to make the polar bear float when swimming.

For information, contact John Dyer, Media Specialist, Aquila Primary Center.