Animal Adaptations

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Animal Adaptations

• What Goes Where?
• Adaptations in Bears

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Polar Bears
http//7art-screensavers.com/screenshots/bears/pol
ar-bears.jpg
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           Polar bears are well-adapted to severe
cold. Winter temperatures in the far north often
plunge to -40 F or -50 F and can stay that way
for days or even weeks.
On bitterly cold days with fierce winds, polar
bears dig out a shelter in a snow bank and curl
up in a tight ball to wait out the storm. When
curled up in a ball, polar bears sometimes cover
their muzzles -- which radiate heat -- with one
of their thickly furred paws.
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The polar bear's compact ears and small tail also
help prevent heat loss. Polar bears have two
layers of fur for further protection from the
cold.
http//guajirodreams.com/blogs/images/PolarBear.jp
g
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http//www.polarbearsalive.org/facts2.php
A polar bear is so well-insulated that it
experiences almost no heat loss. In addition to
its insulating fur, the bear's blubber layer can
measure 4.5 inches thick.
The polar bear's fat layer, which is three to
four inches thick, not only protects it from the
cold, but adds to its bouyancy in the water.
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http//www.alaska.com/about/photos
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A polar bear's forepaws are partially webbed to
assist it in swimming. The massive size of the
forepaws help as well. Each measures up to 12
inches in diameter.
www.saskschools.ca
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http//animals.timduru.org/dirlist/bear/Polar_bear
s-Mom_n_SleepingBaby.jpg
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The polar bear's paws are superbly adapted to
navigating in the Arctic. Each paw measures up
to 12 inches across (31 centimeters). The polar
bear's large paws help distribute the animal's
weight when it is treading on thin ice.
Polar bears have black footpads on the bottom of
each paw. The pads are covered by small, soft
bumps known as papillae. The papillae grip the
ice and keep the bears from slipping. Tufts of
fur grow between the polar bear's toes and
footpads. Like the papillae, the fur helps to
keep the bears from slipping.
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A polar bear's claws are thick and curved. Each
can measure more than two inches (5.1
centimeters) long.                            
                                The polar bear's
sharp, strong claws help the animal catch and
hold its prey. The claws also provide traction on
the ice.
The polar bear's large paws are designed for use
in the water as well as on the ice. The forepaws
serve as large paddles when the bears are
swimming, while the hind paws serve as rudders.
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http//www.polyu.edu.hk/or/andrew1.htm
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http//www.animalscreensavers.com/pics/polar_bears
_SDzoo_P2162347_WP.JPG
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http//ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/content_contenu/images/
bearours3.jpg
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Grizzly Bears
http//animals.timduru.org
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Grizzlies are omnivores, meaning they eat both
plants and other animals. Their diet varies by
the season and includes grasses, roots, berries,
nuts, fish and rodents. Aided by their long front
claws and massive shoulder muscles, grizzlies are
excellent diggers. Grizzlies also eat a great
deal of insects, sometimes tearing rotten logs
apart and turning over heavy stones in search of
insects.
http//montanakids.com
Grizzlies often dig beneath the roots of large
trees to create their dens.
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Notice the long claws!
http//www.grizzly-bears.org/grizzly-bears-links.h
tm
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http//www.1stoppostershop.com/products/Impact/Wil
dlife/im_GrizzlyBearsFishing.jpg
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http//www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/images
http//www.grizzly-bears.org
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http//www.wawild.org/images/harts_pass_lg.jpg
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http//work4travelclub.co.uk
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http//www.ekes.org/grizzlybear.html
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Black Bear
Black bears like to eat berries, nuts, and
insects especially bees.
http//home.globalcrossing.net/brendel/cubsit.jpg
Black bears have short, sharp claws to help them
climb trees to escape predators.
http//www.defenders.org/flbrart3.html
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http//www.nwpli.com/photographers/dan/
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http//www.nps.gov/yell/tours/thismonth/june2004/b
lackbear/
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Bears
Polar
Grizzly
Black