Why Polar Bears are Such Weird Animals

Polar bears are so famous that we sometimes forget that they are actually incredibly unusual animals. From the amount of time they evolve in to the way they live, there is very little about polar bears that could be considered as normal. This video explains what it takes for bears to live in such an extreme part of the world.

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[Khan-rzqi]

Polar Bears truly gained my respect when I sat down and truly thought about how badly inhospitable the arctic is for most lifeforms. Not only they have to live in perpetually cold conditions, but they often have to dive into icy cold waters in order to catch their prey. It’s just insane all around, they’re some of the toughest veterans on the planet!

[harrymills]

I was confused to learn that brown bears were the biggest land predator, because polar bears were bigger, but polar bears aren't land mammals, it turns out.

[jfu]

My favorite polar bear behavior is an ambush technique they use on the sea ice. When waiting at a breathing hole they place a paw in front of their big black nose to camouflage it from seals.

[Eye_Exist]

there's something utterly terrifying in the dissonance on polar bear's almost innocent looking black round eyes and cute face and the fact that they are the only bear species who commonly hunt humans upon encounter. if i ever saw one i would truly have to hold myself not to pat them.

[yangsrealm]

Something you didn’t mention is how they have adapted the ability to reduce reflection from the sun on the ice. When you look at a massive ice sheet and it’s glistening like a flashlight on a mirror and you won’t be able to see anything out there, but polar bears have some sort of extra layer on their eyes that eliminates that reflection so they can see everything. It helps them stay hidden and hunt because their prey can’t see them because of the reflection, but the polar bear can always see it’s prey.

[notoriousbigmoai]

There is an extinct subspecies of Polar Bear called Ursus maritimus tyrannus that lived in Britain during the Late Pleistocene. It was found from a single ulna bone near Kew Bridge, London. The ulna itself measured 48.5 cm long which is bigger than modern Polar Bear (36–43 cm). However, some scientists have disputed its existence as the bone might belong to a Brown Bear rather than Polar Bear. But based on its size, it was still a relatively large species of unknown bear.

[gab.lab.martins]

It’s so cruel how cute and fluffy and cuddly and adorable they look. Every instinct to hug them is activated.

[TheAdrian]

It is crazy that humans might be older species than polar bears

[katconley]

Amazing to think that in a hypothetical world they could go a mega seal-like evolutionary route eventually

[daniell]

Such beautiful creatures. I know, dangerous, hunts humans, all that... but just look at the damn thing! Truly majestic. It is no wonder they are such large targets of conservation efforts.

[justskip]

In Finnish we call them Jääkarhu. Jää = Ice, Karhu = Bear. I think that that name fits them well too.

[robrice]

So in other words, they're actual *SEA BEARS*

[novedad]

Dude, I really wish your videos were one hour long.

I also wish I would be in a better financial situation so as to reward your great job as it deserves

[jivejunior]

What I've wondered but have never found an answer to: Surely the appearance of this totally novel way of life would have caused many species to go extinct? I would think there would have been a lot of seal species that couldn't handle the ice suddenly turning from a safe haven to a feeding ground.

[VanBurenOfficial]

One of the best channel on YouTube, thank you for this excellent content, rigorously scientific, and extremely compelling

[ckl]

Polar bears still retain the ability to scavenge non-meat foods, though I imagine their body uses it less efficiently. This is a problem for Canada's northern communities. There was even a story from a few years ago when several tons of sour grain was dumped, then a polar bear ate it and got drunk.

[kkgt]

The best thing about polar bears is that they are super friendly and are open to cuddles.

[thelaughinghyenas]

Bugs or Bears, your videos are always so interesting, so informative, and so well narrated. I always watch them with delight. Thank you and Merry Christmas! I really enjoyed your Christmas bear gift.

[bono]

In German they are called "Eisbären" which means Ice bears.
Seems very fitting.

[leaup]

I love that you throw in extant animals in your video, it is great to have the variety.