The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is always ready for cold weather. A close relative of the brown bear, this species has evolved specialized features to thrive in the Arctic. For example, a female polar bear’s milk is about 31 percent fat, making it the richest milk of any land mammal. It boosts their cubs’ growth, energy, and fat insulation, which helps the baby bears survive frigid temperatures.

via amnhnyc


Three polar bears (a mother with 2 cubs?), staying close together.

This animal also has water-repelling guard hairs, and dense underfur, to ward off a chill after swimming between ice floes. A polar bear’s broad feet help distribute its weight on the ice and serve as paddles to propel it through water.

Photo: tlbeecher, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
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