About the polar bear...

Polar bears are large white bears that live in the icy conditions of the Arctic Circle. They spend nearly their entire lives on the sea ice, or frozen ocean water, where they hunt for seals. Some evidence exists that polar bears are close relatives of brown bears, but polar bears have adapted to life in extremely cold weather -- they carry a layer of blubber, or fat, that can be up to four inches thick, and are covered with fur that is up to six inches long! The polar bear is an excellent swimmer and is able to swim for days. It also has a keen sense of hearing, and can detect a seal hidden under the snow more than a mile away.

 

Meet the baby polar bear...

"Hi, my name is Qanuipit. My mama calls me 'roll-y poll-y,' and I'm glad! I need this thick coat of blubber and long fur to stay toasty in the arctic climate. The den my mother built me - built into a snow drift - also helps keep me safe from frosty winds and predators while I pack on more blubber and grow bigger. Soon, though, I won't be staying in my cozy snow drift: I'll be learning to hunt seals and fish in the icy water. I just love to play in water! (Oh yeah, and in case someone asks you, Qanuipit means 'How are you?' in Inuktitut.) Gotta go!"