While adult polar bears are perfectly insulated by the dense white fur, baby polar bears develop lighter furs in the initial days following the birth. A baby polar bear has fluffy white fur which protects the cub from extreme Arctic chill. However the cub’s fur is not thick enough to prevent them from cold if they get wet. That is to say that baby polar bear cubs likely develop hypothermia if they swim in cold water. Let us see now what do polar bears look like when they are born.
What Does a Baby Polar Bear Look Like?
The baby polar bear weighs only 2 pounds at birth—nearly the size of a ground squirrel. It is curious that they become the largest terrestrial carnivores from a ground squirrel. Polar bear cubs grow pretty quickly.
A baby polar bear which is about to leave the den is relatively more fluffy and is covered with short woolly fur than the one at birth.
A baby polar bear which is about to leave the den is relatively more fluffy and is covered with short woolly fur than the one at birth. At this age, they likely develop wavy guard hairs and tawny coat. The density of cub’s fur varies—even between the real brothers. While some baby bears show beige coat the first time they emerge from the den, others are absolutely white.
Read More: What Do Polar Bears Look Like?
Unlike adults, the baby polar bears have pink skin and it remains pinkish for as long as 450 days after the birth. The skin turns black with age. Adult polar bears show absolutely black skin. Baby polar bears have tiny black eyes just like the adult’s.
References
Derocher, Andrew E. (2012). Polar Bears—A Complete Guide to their Biology & Behavior: 18–22.
Kazlowski, Steven; Stirling, Ian (2010). Ice Bear: The Arctic World of Polar Bears. Seattle, WA: The Mountaineers Books.
