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Did you know….
The polar bear is the youngest species of bear, evolved from the brown bear during the last Ice Age, 250 thousand years ago.
The front claws of a polar bear may be 2 inches (5 cm.) long and are quite sharp. They don't seem to become dull as the bear walks around on the hard ice.
At its full height, a polar bear may stand over 10 feet tall. Being the largest predator on earth, a male polar bear can weigh over a 1,000 pounds and can live for over 25 years.
Polar bears dig their winter dens in snow drifts. The tunnel of the den is 8 feet long. And leads to an egg shaped chamber 61/2 feet in diameter.
Rival adult male polar bears may fight furiously during the spring mating season. The bear target each other's face and neck, accessible and vulnerable areas. Deep lacerations and broken canine teeth are relatively frequent injuries, and sometimes the bears' jaws are even broken.
Polar bears have little trouble finding a place to sleep. Three thick insulating layers--fur, skin and fat--help prevent the loss of precious body heat when the bear curls up on the open ground. Even when completely covered with snow, the bear releases so little heat that the snow on it's back does not melt.
In the water, a polar bear may be attacked and killed by a bull walrus.
Female polar bears usually give birth in late November or early December. Most have litters of one or two cubs, although they may, on rare occasions, produce triplets.
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