Polar Bear 25cm - Cuddly Toy

Physical Characteristics
The world's largest land predators, polar bears live in one of the planet's coldest environments and depend on a thick coat of insulated fur, which covers a warming layer of fat. Fur even grows on the bottom of their paws, which protects against cold surfaces and provides a good grip on the ice. The bear's stark white coat provides camouflage in surrounding snow and ice. But under their fur, polar bears have black skin, perfect for absorbing heat from the sun's warming rays. The Polar Bear also has slightly webbed feet to help it swim. Size: Head and body, 7.25 to 8 ft (2.2 to 2.5 m); Weight: 900 to 1,600 lbs (410 to 720 kg). Average lifespan in the wild: 25 to 30 years.

Habitat
Polar Bears can be found in the Arctic, the U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Denmark (Greenland) and Norway. Polar bears roam the Arctic ice sheets hunting and swimming in the extreme northern hemisphere's coastal waters.

Behaviour
Polar bears are very strong swimmers and their large front paws, which they use to paddle, are slightly webbed. Some polar bears have been seen swimming hundreds of miles from land - though they probably cover most of that distance by floating on sheets of ice. With the exception of pregnant females, polar bears are active all year-round.

Breeding
Females make dens by digging into deep snow drifts, which provide protection and insulation from the Arctic elements. They give birth in winter, usually to twins. Young cubs live with their mothers for some 28 months to learn the survival skills of the far north. Females aggressively protect their young, but receive no help from their solitary male mates. In fact, male polar bears may even kill young of their species.

Diet
These powerful predators typically prey on seals. In search of this quarry Polar bears frequent areas of shifting, cracking ice where seals may surface to breath air. They also stalk ice edges and breathing holes. If the opportunity presents itself, polar bears will also consume carcasses, such as those of dead whales.

Strange and Interesting Facts
A polar bear's fur is not white; in fact each hair is a clear hollow tube. Polar bears look white because each hollow hair reflects the light. Polar bear fur is also oily and water repellent.