FACTS ON POLAR BEARS:

1. Polar bears are the largest and longest species of bear. Males can measure up to 10 feet (3 meters) when standing on their hind legs.

2. Scientists believe that the polar bear evolved from a common brown bear ancestor about 200,000 years ago.

3. Even though they look white, a polar bear’s fur is made of clear, hollow tubes filled with air.

4. Polar bears clean themselves by rolling in the snow. Can you imagine how cute is that?

5. They also cool off by rolling in the snow or taking a dip in chilly waters.

6. A group of polar bears is sometimes called a pack or sleuth.

7. Unlike their brown and black counterparts, polar bears do not hibernate.

8. Polar bears are found in countries that ring the Arctic Circle — Canada, the US, Greenland, Russia, and Norway.

9. Polar bears have no natural enemies. They are a peaceful animal.

10. They can swim at speeds of up to 6 miles per hour (8 knots). In fact, their taxonomic name means “sea bear.”

11. Polar bears have been known to swim more than 60 miles (100 kilometers) without rest in search for food. Unfortunately, that distance is increasing due to climate change.

12. Their nose is so powerful it can smell a seal on the ice 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, sniff out a seal’s den that has been covered with snow, and even find a seal’s air hole up to 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) away.