“…and today we’re talking about the original member of a group that likes to go swimming in the winter in Coney Island.”
The Arctic is an unforgiving place—cold, desolate, and covered in ice as far as the eye can see. It’s a freezing wasteland where only the toughest survive, and no one does it quite like the polar bear. If there were an Olympic category for endurance swimming, this apex predator would be taking home the gold every time. They glide through icy waters, covering distances that would make even the most seasoned triathlete cry. But hey, when your home is melting beneath your paws, you’ve gotta be willing to go the distance—like the polar bear here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
Description of the Polar Bear
It has a robust, stocky build.
Its body is elongated with a thick layer of blubber beneath the skin, providing insulation against the frigid temperatures.
The polar bear’s fur appears white due to the way it reflects light, though it is actually translucent, with each hair being hollow to trap warmth.
This fur covers most of its body, except for the black skin visible on its nose, lips, and paw pads.
Its head is relatively small compared to its massive body, featuring a long snout, small rounded ears, and dark, expressive eyes. The polar bear has powerful, muscular legs equipped with large, wide paws that act like snowshoes, distributing its weight on ice and snow.
Each paw is adorned with sharp, curved claws, perfect for gripping ice and prey.
Its short, bushy tail is often tucked close to its body, adding to its streamlined shape as it moves through water or across the tundra.
Measure Up
Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. The official listener’s favorite part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in relatable terms through a quiz that’s fun for the whole family. It’s also the part of the show that’s introduced by you when you send in audio of yourself saying, singing, or chittering the words Measure Up into ldtaxonomy at gmail dot com.
Height
7 to 10 feet (2.1 to 3 meters) tall when on its hind legs
- 3,500 go into the height of the rim of Engel’gardt crater on the far side of the moon
- 759 go into the height of Mount Vinson in antarctica
- 408 antarctic midges go into a polar bear
Weight
weighing between 900 to 1,600 pounds (400 to 725 kilograms) for males, while females are roughly half that size.
- 3.2 go into a walrus
- 93,750,000 go into the approximate weight of the titanic iceburg
- 247 arctic foxes
Fast Facts about Polar Bears
Here are some fascinating facts about polar bears (*Ursus maritimus*), showcasing their unique adaptations and behaviors:
Not Really White: Polar bears appear white due to their fur scattering sunlight, but their hair is actually transparent and hollow. The light reflection, combined with their black skin underneath (which absorbs heat), creates the illusion of whiteness.
Heat-Trapping Fur: Their fur isn’t just for looks—it’s a double-layered insulation system. A dense undercoat traps warm air close to the body, while longer guard hairs repel water and ice, keeping them dry even after a swim in freezing Arctic waters.
Massive Appetite: Polar bears primarily eat seals, especially ringed and bearded seals, and can consume up to 20% of their body weight in one meal. A male weighing 1,200 pounds (540 kg) might devour 240 pounds (109 kg) of blubber-rich seal in a sitting, storing energy for lean times.
Smell Detectives: They have an extraordinary sense of smell, detecting prey like seals from up to 20 miles (32 kilometers) away or even under 3 feet (1 meter) of snow and ice, thanks to a highly developed olfactory system.
Climate Vulnerable: Polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt, rest, and breed. As Arctic ice melts due to climate change, their habitat shrinks—some studies predict a potential two-thirds population decline by 2050 if trends continue.
Biggest Land Carnivore: Males can weigh up to 1,600 pounds (725 kg) and stretch 10 feet (3 meters) tall on hind legs, making them the largest terrestrial carnivores on Earth, out-sizing grizzly bears and lions.
Longevity in the Wild: While they can live 15–18 years in the wild, the oldest recorded polar bear reached 30. In captivity, some have hit their 40s, like a female named Debby who lived to 42 in a Canadian zoo.
Delayed Pregnancy: Female polar bears exhibit delayed implantation—after mating in spring, the fertilized egg doesn’t implant in the uterus until fall, only developing if she’s gained enough fat reserves to survive hibernation and nursing cubs.
Playful Giants: Despite their fierce reputation, polar bears are often playful, especially cubs. They’ve been observed sliding down snowy slopes or wrestling with siblings, behaviors that help hone hunting skills.
Major Fact: The Marathon Mammal
- Polar bears can swim longer distances than any other terrestrial mammal.
- They’ve been recorded swimming up to 220 miles in a single stretch.
- This incredible endurance is due to their thick layer of blubber, which provides both buoyancy and insulation.
- They use a dog-paddle stroke, keeping their heads above water while their powerful forelimbs propel them forward.
- Their large, partially webbed paws act like natural paddles, making them surprisingly efficient swimmers.
- They rely on swimming to travel between ice floes as their habitat shifts due to climate change.
- Long-distance swims are risky, especially for cubs who may not have the same endurance as adults.
- Despite the cold water temperatures, their fur and blubber work together to retain heat and prevent hypothermia.
- Scientists have tracked polar bears swimming for days at a time, demonstrating incredible stamina.
- Their ability to swim vast distances is essential for hunting, survival, and adapting to a rapidly changing Arctic environment.
Ending: So stay on ice, pop open a cold coca cola (not a sponsor), and go for a refreshing 220 mile swim like the polar bear here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.