Buzz
Polar bears are some of the most iconic and beloved creatures on Earth. They're everywhere—from soda commercials to fantasy novels, documentaries to reality TV shows. While they may be one of the most politically debated animals of the 21st century, there’s one thing that everyone agrees on: Polar bears are incredible. In fact, they could very well be the coolest bears on Earth (pun intended).
11. They Were Stars in Ancient Rome
The ancient Romans had a fascination with blood sports. While the gladiator battles are the most famous Roman pastime, the crowd also reveled in watching animals meet a grisly end. These bloody spectacles (known as venationes) often saw hunters (venatores) battling a variety of fierce animals. To add more excitement, the Romans sometimes staged beast-on-beast combat in a real-life “Animal Face-Off.” Lions fought tigers, brown bears faced off with bulls, and the possibilities were endless with combinations of crocodiles, pythons, hippos, and hounds.
Not all of the matchups were evenly matched. According to the Roman poet Calpurnius Siculus, the Romans would flood an arena and release seals into it. Then they’d let the polar bears loose. The result? A one-sided, bloody spectacle that probably had the bears wondering, “Are you not entertained?”
10. Polar Bears Aren’t Actually White
Although polar bears appear white, the saying “looks can be deceiving” definitely applies here. Their outer fur (guard hairs) is actually transparent, and their undercoat is completely colorless. So why do they look white? Inside each guard hair is a hollow air pocket, and when sunlight hits the coat, the light reflects off these pockets, giving the bear its white appearance. But even that iconic white color isn’t permanent—depending on the season and the angle of the sun, polar bears can look yellow or brown. In captivity, they can even turn green, thanks to algae growing in their guard hairs (though that might not be the most appealing look for a soda commercial).
However, if you were to shave off all their fur (which I strongly suggest you don’t do), you’d see the polar bear’s true color. Beneath that fluffy, colorless coat, the polar bear’s skin is actually black. This black skin absorbs heat from the sun, helping the bear stay warm in the freezing Arctic. So the next time you spot a polar bear’s nose, remember: that’s its real color.
9. They Can Swim Nonstop For Over A Week
Polar bears possess remarkable swimming abilities that even put Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte to shame. Their large, webbed paws are ideal for slicing through the water at speeds of 10 kph (6 mph). Compare that to Olympic swimmers, who can manage just 7 kph (4.5 mph) at their fastest. No matter how many gold medals you have, you’ll still end up as a polar bear's lunch.
On top of their impressive speed, polar bears can swim for up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) without stopping. Some polar bears have been found as far as 321 kilometers (200 miles) from land. The longest known swim occurred in 2011, when a mother polar bear and her cub set out across the Beaufort Sea in search of a new home due to melting ice, their traditional hunting grounds. The mother swam an astonishing 680 kilometers (426 miles) over nine days, equivalent to walking from Washington, D.C. to Boston. Tragically, her cub died along the way, and the mother lost 22 percent of her body weight by the time she reached land. This remarkable journey highlights both the strength and struggles of polar bears.
8. They’re Turning To Cannibalism
Polar bears aren’t picky eaters, but given the option between a seal and pretty much anything else, they’ll choose the seal every time. However, the Arctic menu has changed drastically in recent years due to the growing effects of climate change. With more sea ice melting, polar bears are losing their prime hunting grounds. As it becomes harder to catch seals, they’ve started seeking out other food sources, such as raiding bird nests. But a few eggs aren’t enough to sustain them. As a result, some polar bears have turned to a far more unsettling option: cannibalism.
Bear-on-bear violence isn’t a new phenomenon. There have always been a few polar bears with a taste for their own kind, and a mother might even eat her sick cubs. However, in recent years, there’s been an uptick in cannibalistic behavior, especially among bears stranded on land. In 2009, eight males were reported eating cubs around Manitoba, and in July 2010, photographer Jenny Ross captured chilling photos of an adult polar bear devouring a younger bear. As the ice continues to melt, more polar bears may find themselves forced to consume their own kin—fava beans not included.
7. Polar Bears Are Invisible To Infrared Cameras
In addition to being formidable hunters, polar bears possess the magical ability of invisibility—at least when it comes to infrared cameras. Scientists stumbled upon this fascinating discovery while flying over the Arctic to monitor the bear population. Initially, they struggled to spot the bears because they blended so well with the snowy landscape. Thinking they had outsmarted the bears, the scientists turned to infrared cameras. To their surprise, the bears seemed to vanish. Only their nose, eyes, and breath showed up on the camera.
Scientists initially speculated that the bears’ thick blubber and fur might be masking their heat signatures. However, a curious Berkeley undergraduate, Jessica Preciado, decided to investigate further. Using advanced technology from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, she cracked the mystery of polar bear invisibility. It turns out that infrared cameras don’t just detect surface temperature—they also pick up radiation from the target. Preciado discovered that the radiative properties of polar bear fur are identical to those of snow, making the bear nearly invisible under infrared light. This could be a useful skill if the Predator ever decided to visit the Arctic.
6. Polar Bear–Grizzly Hybrids Exist
In 2006, an American hunter ventured into the Arctic with hopes of bagging a polar bear. He succeeded, but something seemed off about the bear he shot. After conducting a DNA test, scientists confirmed that the bear was actually a hybrid—part polar bear, part grizzly bear.
This marked the first time a polar-grizzly hybrid had been discovered in the wild. However, scientists had previously encountered this creature at the Osnabruck Zoo in Germany, where a polar bear and a grizzly bear had shared an enclosure and formed an unlikely bond. By 2010, 17 confirmed polar-grizzly hybrids had been recorded, most of them residing in Osnabruck. Given this, scientists speculated that these hybrids were also breeding in the wild. The scientific community was taken aback in 2010 when an Invuvialut hunter shot a bear that turned out to be the offspring of a grizzly bear and a polar-grizzly hybrid. Unlike other crossbred animals like mules, these hybrids are fertile.
These fascinating creatures have been dubbed “grolars,” “pizzlies,” and “Nanulaks,” the latter being a blend of the Inuit words for polar bear (Nanuk) and grizzly bear (Aklak). Experts believe their existence is due to construction and mining activities in Canada, which have pushed grizzlies further north, and the effects of climate change on Arctic ice, which has forced polar bears southward. The offspring, known as grolars, inherit traits from both parents. They have longish necks and visible tails like polar bears, but their heads, shoulders, and claws resemble those of grizzlies. Their coats are a mixed patchwork of both species. Grolars, however, face challenges in the wild: they can't swim as well as polar bears, and their grizzly claws are not suited for icy conditions. As of 2012, there have been five confirmed sightings of these hybrids in the wild, and it’s possible that grolars could one day become a permanent part of the North American ecosystem.
5. They’re Revered By The Inuit People
While many view the polar bear as a cute and cuddly creature, the Inuit people show it a deeper level of respect. They regard the Nanuk (polar bear) as a mystical, almost human being deserving of reverence, even after death. After a successful hunt, an Inuit hunter would honor the polar bear by hanging its skin in his home for several days. Alongside the hide, the hunter would also hang tools as offerings to the bear’s spirit. Male bears were honored with gifts like knives and bow-drills, while female bears received items such as skin-scrapers and needle cases. The Inuit believed that the polar bear needed the souls of these tools in the afterlife, and if the hunter treated the bear with respect, Nanuk would spread word of the hunter’s kindness to other bears. In turn, those bears would offer themselves to the hunter in exchange for the tools. Everyone benefitted.
If a hunter mistreated the Nanuk's soul, he would find himself unable to hunt polar bears again. The same fate awaited the hunter's wife—if she disrespected the bear, her husband would never regain his prowess as a hunter. This was especially troublesome for women whose husbands had passed away, as they would likely remain unmarried. No Inuit hunter wanted to risk marrying into the curse of Nanuk.
4. Polar Bear Spotting Is A Real Occupation
If you're tired of the standard 9-to-5 grind, consider checking out the government of Svalbard’s online job board. They often list some unique opportunities, such as the role of polar bear spotter.
On the Svalbard archipelago, there are only 2,400 humans, which is remarkable when you consider the growing polar bear population of about 3,000. What's especially interesting about the bears here is that their numbers are on the rise, unlike most other bear populations, which are declining. While this is great news for the bears, it poses challenges for scientists working in the field. To address this, the government of Svalbard recently posted a job opening for a polar bear spotter. The role requires outdoor experience, knowledge of firearms, and a loud voice. The primary duty of the spotter is to scare the bears away by shouting, firing a flare gun, or banging pots and pans. Shooting the bears is only considered a last resort.
If you're interested in the job, we're sorry to inform you that the position has already been taken. But don’t lose hope just yet—keep an eye on that job board because a spot may open up soon. Polar bear spotting is a pretty unstable gig, so you never know when the current spotter might be (ex)terminated.
3. Polar Bear Liver Can Kill You
The Inuit people used every part of the polar bear, much like how the Plains Indians utilized every part of the buffalo. However, there was one exception: the liver. It’s not because they found it unpleasant, but because it’s potentially deadly. In 1596, a group of European explorers discovered this the hard way. After enjoying a meal of polar bear, they were struck with a horrifying illness. The men grew lethargic, irritable, their vision blurred, bones and heads ached, and vomiting became uncontrollable. Soon, their skin began to peel off. Some had just a little around the mouth, but others suffered a far worse fate, losing all their skin. They eventually slipped into comas and died, all because they ate the polar bear's organs, including the liver.
Polar bear liver is toxic because it contains extremely high levels of vitamin A. While small amounts of vitamin A are essential for body functions like growth, reproduction, and vision, an overdose can be fatal. A human body can only handle 10,000 international units of vitamin A, but eating just 500 grams of polar bear liver contains 9 million IU. Along with skin peeling off, you’d lose your hair, and both your spleen and liver would swell to dangerous sizes. So, the next time you're offered polar bear liver, you might want to pass and go for the fondue instead.
2. They Can End Up Behind Bars
Churchill, Manitoba, is known as the polar bear capital of the world. Each spring and summer, when the bay near Churchill thaws, the polar bears lose access to their primary hunting grounds. With no seals to hunt, around 1,000 hungry bears come into town in search of food. These bears aren’t picky, devouring anything from trash to even dogs.
Despite the dangers, the residents of Churchill have developed ways to cope with the annual bear invasion. For instance, it’s common practice for people to leave their homes unlocked, so anyone being chased by a bear can find refuge indoors. To prevent bears from following or investigating the smells of food cooking, the doors are protected by special ‘welcome mats’ made of plywood studded with nails. The bears quickly get the message. During Halloween, trick-or-treaters are escorted by armed adults, and no one is allowed to dress as a ghost for fear of being mistaken for a polar bear. There’s even a dedicated polar bear hotline (675-BEAR), which, if called, sends a team of conservation officers armed with firecrackers, rubber bullets, and real ones if necessary, to drive the bears out of town.
However, if a bear refuses to take the hint and continues returning to Churchill, it might find itself spending a few months in the polar bear jail. Repeat offenders are tranquilized and taken to the former aircraft hangar, which now serves as a prison. When the bear wakes up, it finds itself in one of 28 small cells, each only about two meters (six feet) in size. The polar bear jail is a tough place. The bears are deprived of food and are only given snow to drink. The aim is to make their stay in Churchill so unpleasant that they’ll avoid returning. While it may seem harsh, authorities believe it’s a more humane alternative to killing the bears—or risking further dangerous encounters. When the bay freezes over again in the colder months, the bears are released, hopefully having learned a lesson about Manitoba’s justice system.
1. They Were Admired in the Middle Ages
When we think of the Middle Ages, our minds often wander to the Crusades, the Black Death, and knights shouting ‘Ni.’ Arctic animals typically don’t come to mind, yet polar bears were highly regarded, from peasants to royalty.
Take the Norse for instance. They believed a polar bear was as strong as twelve men and possessed the intelligence of eleven. Norse poets bestowed several grandiose names upon them, such as ‘the seal’s dread,’ ‘the rider of icebergs,’ and ‘the whale’s bane.’ In Norse mythology, the gods Heimdallr and Loki transformed into polar bears during a fierce battle. Even Norse King Harold Fair-hair kept a mother bear and her cubs, gifts from an Icelandic hunter, whom he repaid with a ship full of timber.
The English were equally fascinated by polar bears. In the 1200s, King Henry III amassed a collection of exotic animals. Emperor Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire gifted him three lions for his wedding, and King Louis IX of France sent a male African elephant. With limited space in his palace for such beasts, Henry housed them in the Tower of London, which became the first zoo in London.
One of Henry’s most fascinating pets was a polar bear, a gift from King Haakon of Norway. Not only did Henry receive the bear, but he also got a Norwegian keeper to look after it. The sheriffs of London were tasked with funding the bear’s meals, but the creature had an enormous appetite. Unable to raise enough money through taxes, Henry instructed the keeper to fashion a muzzle and iron chain. The keeper would then attach the chain around the bear’s neck and lead it to the Thames River, where the bear could swim and catch fish. Compared to other Tower prisoners, the polar bear led a surprisingly comfortable life.
