STRUCTURAL AND

BEHAVIORALADAPTATIONS

OF THEPOLAR BEAR

STRUCTURAL ADAPTATIONS:

Large paws

Black skin

blubber

Small ears

Fuzzy undercoat

A polar bear’s paw is about onefoot across. This enables the bear to walk in deep snow andTo swim in water.

A polar bear’s small ear help it Keep the bear warm. Small ears lose less heat than largeEars.

A polar bear has an extreme layer of fat. This fat helps

keep the bear warm.

Underneath all that fur, a polarbear’s skin is black. Black skin helps absorb heat from the sun.

A thick fuzzy undercoat of furhelps keep a polar bear warm.

BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS:

POLAR BEAR: BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS

• Hunting behaviors• A polar Bear will lie in wait at the opening of a seal’s

breathing hole.• A Polar Bear can also sneak up on seals sunning

themselves.

POLAR BEAR: BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS

• Hibernation• Some Polar

Bears, especially pregnant females, will hibernate for short periods of time if food is scarce.

POLAR BEAR: BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS

• Play Fighting• Adult males and cubs have been known to spend time

play fighting