Let?s say you want to be a polar bear scientist. You want to study the ways of the polar bear. You can?t do this kindof work from behind a desk. You have to go where the polar bears are.
You have to go to the Arctic. Polar bears are exquisitely well-adapted to the Arctic. Even when it?s 34 degrees below zero and the wind is howling, polar bears maintain a body temperature of about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (just like us). Their bodies are entirely covered by two layers of fur and a layer of fat up to 4.5 inches thick! With that kind of insulation, they simply don?t get cold. Their dinner plate-sized feet, which plod over snow without sinking, are also fur-covered to protect against frostbite. All winter long, polar bears roam the ice fields at the top of the world, unfazed.
Humans are not well-adapted to the Arctic. You or I would not survive a single night on the winter ice without layer upon layer of proper clothing and a long list of absolutely critical supplies. If you decide to become a polar bear scientist, be sure to pack well!
Imagine what you would learn “in the field.” One day, you might contribute to a better understanding of the links between sea ice, polar bears and their prey. Or maybe you will study the impact of global warming on polar bears, and help the rest of us understand how our actions today will affect them.
Provided by the Maryland Zoo. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org.
