nrdc:

Today is International Polar Bear Day.  To help us celebrate, here’s some fun polar bear facts:

• Polar bears spend almost their entire life on ice, using the flowing sea ice of the Arctic throughout the seasons to move about, finding food and mates.
• Adult male polar bears weigh between 1,300 and 1,700 pounds and adult female polar bears weigh about half that.  Male polar bears measure 8-9 feet from nose to tail and female polar bears measure from 6-7 feet.
• Polar bear fur is not white.  It’s translucent (and hollow!), allowing sunlight to reach their black skin.  The reflection of light off their fur is what makes them appear white.
• Polar bears are found in only five countries – Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia, and the United States.
• The global polar bear population is about 20,000 – 25,000.
• They love to eat ringed seals.

Take action to protect polar bears at www.PolarBearSOS.org.

Photo: FWS