Polar bears inhabit one of the coldest places on earth where the average temperature for the warmest month (July) drops down to 10 °C (50 °F). Arctic occurs at the northernmost part of the planet. During winter, alongside high winds, the temperature drops down to −40 °C (−40 °F) with the maximum lowest temperature recorded at −68 °C (−90 °F). So, how can polar bears live in warm weather?
Can Polar Bears Survive in the Heat?
No, definitely not! Polar bears have quite many adaptations to survive in extreme cold weather. They cannot survive in warm weather—not even for one day. Polar bears will probably die in minutes if they are bred in warm habitats. Furthermore, polar bears can sometimes get overheated even in Arctic weather if they run for a few minutes continuously. That is why they give up in most chases as the heat inside their body gets entrapped. Now let us study why can’t polar bears live in heat?
Polar bears have Thick Fur
Polar bears are perfectly insulated with dense white fur. The bear’s fur has two layers. The guard hairs and the dense underfur both of which keep the bear safe even in Arctic chilling weather. If somehow polar bears are transported to warm countries, they might not be able to survive the heat precisely due to their thick coat.
Polar Bear Habitat Characteristics
The sea ice and water are the essential characteristics of a polar bear. They can barely live without it for they use sea ice as a hunting platform. Polar bears catch seals on ice floes. If the weather gets warm as it does in summer, polar bears might not be able to catch seals because the ice disappears rapidly in warm climate. Over time the global warming has also rendered much of the polar bear population redundant.
Polar Bear’s Prey Live in Cold Climate
Polar bears live in cold habitats so as their prey. Their primary preys are seals which are not known to survive in warm weather just like polar bears. Thus it is reasonable to assume that if the weather somehow gets warmer in the Arctic (which is highly unlikely) the polar bears and seals are going to die for they are not so adapted.
