Adaptations

The fur, made up of an outer layer of long guard hairs and a dense undercoat of short hairs, is oily and water-resistant. It has excellent insulation properties and keeps the bear warm.
Black skin absorbs radiation heat from the sun.
The long transparent guard hairs trap the sunlight and make the polar bear’s coat appear white.
Subcutaneous fat layer (up to 11 cm thick) gives energy and provides buoyancy.
Huge forepaws act as paddles when swimming.
Hind feet push and serve as rudders.
The soles are hairy and the black sole pads are covered with papillae, which prevent slipping on the ice.
Webbing between the toes of the forepaws allows for effective swimming.
Strong and up to 5 cm long sharp claws are used to gain traction on the ice, grip the prey and dig the den.
The huge stomach is capable of digesting large amounts of energy-rich food.
Slow moving (ca 4 km/h) guarantees energy saving.
The elongated muzzle and neck help to warm the cold and arid inhaled air before it reaches the lung
Small round ears minimize heat loss.
Eyes are covered with a membrane, which shields them from bright sunlight.
When diving, the polar bear’s nostrils close and it can stay underwater for up to three minutes.