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Polar bears roam the Arctic ice sheets and swim in that region''''s coastal waters. They 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.
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 ice. The bear''''s stark white coat provides camouflage in surrounding snow and ice. But under their fur, polar bears have black skin—the better to soak in the sun''''s warming rays.
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Average lifespan in the wild: 25 to 30 years
Size: Head and body, 7.25 to 8 ft (2.2 to 2.5 m); Tail, 3 to 5 in (7.5 to 12.5 cm)
Weight: 900 to 1,600 lbs (410 to 720 kg)
Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
Published: February 07, 2008
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